UzNIF Eases Towards IPO with BlackRock, Templeton Backing
More details in as investment giants line up to support the novel fund listing.
This week, Uzbekistan's presidential press office affirmed that 30 percent of the country's ca. $2.4 billion National Investment Fund (UzNIF) will go to market later this year in a closely-watched, dual-exchange IPO filing in London and Tashkent.
The offering, officially confirmed earlier this month, comes as the Central Asian republic continues to pursue economic liberalisation policies and investor engagement.
Announced anchors for the IPO include Franklin Templeton, which has led the unique process, and BlackRock, who will jointly commit approximately $300 million to the float. London specialist manager Redwheel is also subscribed.
With pricing expected in May and an anticipated debut later this year, the offering will be the first IPO for Uzbekistan and test global investor interest for an equity ownership share in an emerging sovereign fund.
