Korean SK Group Invest in Micro Holdings
SK Group, South Korea’s third largest diversified conglomerate and a Fortune 500 company, has invested approximately USD $50 million Micro Holdings; with the investment broken into 2 stages of USD $30 million this year, and a further USD $20 million in the next 2 years.
The focus of the investment was to begin production of a fully electric vehicle which will be sold locally as well as being exported to neighboring countries, and possibly globally. “We are confident that the first electric car could roll out from our Kurunegala assembly facility by early 2018” said Micro Holdings Chairman Dr. Lawrence Perera. The prototype of the car was unveiled in January, and is expected to travel 140km on a single charge cycle. This would mean that it could compete alongside models such as the Nissan Leaf.
Of the investment; Micro’s USD $13.5 million production plant, which can produce ~50 cars daily, will receive some of the investment, the company’s future expansions will also see significant financing for SK Group as well.
SK Group were impressed by Micro’s advancements in use of technology as well as highlighting Sri Lanka’s key geographic benefits. The partnership may extend to other sectors of Micro Holdings, including wireless mobile service sector, public transportation, construction and other fields as well.
Dr. Perera added that Micro are still set on holding their IPO, though a date has not been set yet.
SK Group, also known as SK Holdings, comprises of 95 subsidiary and affiliate companies, with over 70,000 employees in 113 offices worldwide. The company’s main industries include chemical, petroleum, energy, telecom, construction, shipping and hospitality.
Image Source: newsworld.co.kr
Image Source: srilankamirror.com
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