New Investment
March 15 2006 - 1:01AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:8003Z
Europasia Education PLC
15 March 2006
15 February 2006
EUROPASIA EDUCATION
New Investment in Chinese Education Business
Europasia Education plc ("EPE"), the AIM listed education investment group, has
taken an 8% stake in Chinese educational facilities management group Dalian
Business Institute Ltd ("DBI") for #0.7 million.
DBI is a Jersey incorporated company with a 25 year contract for the management
of Dalian Business Institute in Liaoning Province, China ("DBIC").
Founded in 1997, DBIC is a nationally accredited comprehensive three-year
college focusing on business and arts subjects. There are currently over 5,000
students, based in the campus in Liaoning Province, China. There are 6 colleges
and 5 faculties on the site, providing 3-year diploma, degree and distance
learning courses in 8 specific areas: Business Management; International Trade;
International Accounting & Finance; Information Technology; International
Tourism; Foreign Languages; Business Laws; and Arts.
Pro forma accounts for the business for the year ended 31 July 2005 show a
turnover of #1.72 million and profits of #1.67 million.
The consideration of #0.7 million for the acquisition is being satisfied via the
issue of 4.45 million EPE shares at a price of 7.50p per share, and a payment of
#0.3 million in cash. The shares issued will be subject to a six month lock-up
from date of issue.
This is EPE's second investment in a Chinese private education group, with its
first, China Education Group ("CEG"), operating a similar business but in a
different part of China, Shandong Province. Its investment in CEG, made last
year, has increased considerably in value since EPE invested and CEG listed on
Ofex at 32.25p in December 2005, with the share price currently at a record
48.5p following recent news of a deal allowing access to over 1 million
correspondence students in a market currently worth #800 million a year, and a
47% increase in pro forma profits announced in the Interim results to 31
December 2005.
Mr Zhang Wenchao, President of DBIC, said: "We are very pleased to have
EuropAsia Education as a major investor and to have access to its knowledge and
ability to help us develop our business in China and elsewhere. Our aim is to
seek a listing on Ofex with the support of EPE."
James Holmes, EPE Chairman, said: "We are delighted that the recent successful
fund raising has enabled us to take a stake in DBI. It is a similar business to
CEG, which is proving to be an excellent investment for our shareholders. We
look forward to developing the synergies between DBI, CEG and our existing
businesses in the UK. If and when DBI lists on Ofex we will be looking to take
part in any fundraising, thus increasing our stake."
For further information, contact:
Paul Quade James Holmes
City Road Communications Europasia Education plc
Tel 020 7248 8010 Tel 020 7248 7578
About Dalian Business Institute China
Dalian Business Institute China (DBIC), located in the hub of Dalian city in
Liaoning Province, is a nationally accredited comprehensive three-year college
focusing on business and arts subjects. The college diplomas awarded by DBI are
recognised by the Ministry of Education (MOE), the government authority of
China. In China, only a degree or diploma granted by a university or college
accredited by the Ministry of Education can be recognised officially in the
nation.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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