Net 1 UEPS Technologies Inc. Announces Financial Arrangements and Acquisition
Friday October 24, 10:22 am ET
VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 24, 2003--Net 1 U.E.P.S. Technologies Inc., the Company, is pleased to announce that it is completing financial arrangements for the securing of approximately US$ 150 million through Brait SA (Brait) on behalf of funds under its management. The financing, comprising the capital raising of US$ 53 million and a share exchange of US$ 97 million, will enable Net 1 to make an offer to acquire Net 1 Applied Technology Holdings Limited (Aplitec), a public Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed company, as well as providing working capital to enable Net 1 to expand its operations and develop its internal infrastructure on an international basis. The Company holds exclusive licensing rights to the proprietary Smart Card technology based "Universal Electronic Payment System" (UEPS) and Funds Transfer Systems (FTS) on a worldwide basis, excluding South Africa and surrounding territories, but lacks financial resources, personnel and infrastructure to market and expand these operations. Net 1, through Brait, will raise the capital through sales of its common stock at US$ 0.50 per common share.
The Company, through Brait, has provided the Board of Directors of Aplitec with an offer to acquire all the assets and liabilities of Aplitec (excluding ZAR 300 million of cash) for approximately US$ 129 million through a combination of cash and share exchange offer to Aplitec shareholders also at a purchase price of US$ 0.50. Aplitec is engaged in the sales, maintenance and development of UEPS smart card based products in South Africa and its surrounding territories with revenues of approximately US$ 100 million. Aplitec has approximately 2,400 employees. Completion of the financing is subject to compliance with regulatory requirements in South Africa and in the United States, including an increase in the authorized capitalization of Net 1 to permit the common shares to be issued to the new shareholders.
Inasmuch as the principal shareholders and members of management of the Company also have interests in Aplitec and will be participating in the share exchange, Net 1 will obtain approval of the majority of its minority shareholders for the increase in its capitalization. Net 1 is seeking to complete the transaction in early 2004.
This transaction will allow the Company to replicate the Aplitec business model in many developing countries and thus maximize the short, medium and long-term profitability of the Company. These initiatives will drive the recognition of the Net 1 brand as the payment of choice for emerging economies.
The foregoing contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to contingencies and uncertainties that may or may not occur. Among the contingencies and uncertainties that may affect NUEP are uncertainty of product and technology development, difficulties in developing market acceptance for products, rapid technological changes and obsolescence, competition, inability to attract and retain key personnel and significant capital requirements in order to fully develop products. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are based on numerous assumptions about future conditions that could prove to be inaccurate. Actual events, transactions and results may differ materially from anticipated events, transactions or results described in such statements. Material uncertainties about the future of NUEP exist.
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Contact:
Net 1 U.E.P.S. Technologies Inc.
Bill Espley, 604-669-4561 or Toll Free: 1-888-796-2233
604-669-4569 (FAX)
www.net1ueps.com |
