Asian Activities Report for January 4, 2012: LDK Solar (NYSE:LDK) Announces Takeover Offer for Sunways (ETR:SWW)

Sydney, Jan 4, 2012 AEST (ABN Newswire) - LDK Solar Co., Ltd. (NYSE:LDK), a Chinese solar company has agreed to acquire approximately 33% increased share capital in Sunways AG (ETR:SWW) of Germany for 2.2 million euros. LDK Solar has also offered to take over all outstanding shares in Sunways. Subject to regulatory approvals, the completion of the takeover offer is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2012. After the takeover, Sunways will remain a separate brand and listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (TYO:8031) says that its joint venture company Galaxy NewSpring Pte. Ltd. will operate two new plants in China - a waste water treatment plant in Chongqing and a water treatment plant in Shandong Province. Galaxy will invest approximately 6 billion yen for the two new operational assets, which are expected to significantly contribute to the development of the regional community and environmental preservation.

Nomura Holdings, Inc. (TYO:8604) has reached an agreement to invest in Jiu You Quan Xing Equity Investment Fund, a private equity fund based in Shanghai. The investment follows Nomura's approval as a Qualified Foreign Limited Partner (QFLP) by the Shanghai municipal government. The QFLP program in Shanghai allows approved foreign investors to convert foreign currency into yuan and directly invest in private equity funds based in Shanghai. Nomura was the first Japanese financial institution to qualify for the program.

Diploma Group Limited (ASX:DGX) has achieved Practical Completion on its Eleven 78 development on Hay Street, West Perth. Eleven 78 is a A$75 million residential building with 128 apartments and two commercial tenancies. Titles for the 130 lots have now issued with settlements expected to commence in the first week of January 2012.

AEON Co., Ltd. (TYO:8267) says that its subsidiary, Petcity Co., Ltd. will be merging with AHB International Inc., a Japanese company which owns and operates pet retail stores and provides pet grooming services. The merger will create the largest pet service company in Japan's rapidly-growing pet beauty care and medical services market, with 165 pet retail stores, 146 pet grooming stores and 49 pet hospitals.

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