MetLife stake deal deemed approved; Bain and Olin proposals await CCI review

MetLife International Holdings’ acquisition of an additional 0.5% stake in PNB MetLife India Insurance was notified under competition regulator's green channel route Monday. The global insurer takes over 10,247,348 shares, representing 0.5% of PNB MetLife, from Jammu and Kashmir Bank. The transaction will raise its holding from about 49.73% to 50.23% but this will not alter PNB MetLife’s existing framework of joint control arrangement, a filing before the Competition Commission of India said.

"The Proposed Transaction will not lead to any change in the competitive landscape or cause any appreciable adverse effect on competition in India," the regulator said.

Separately, the regulator is also examining a transaction involving Bain Capital Advisors (India) Private Limited and Millennia Realtors Private Limited (MRPL), along with its related entities. Bain is acting as the investment manager for GSS India Opportunities AIF – Scheme II LVF (GSS –Scheme 2).


Under the proposed transaction, Scheme 2 will subscribe to securities in MRPL which will then use those proceeds to make its own acquisitions. Additionally, there will be an internal restructuring within MRPL and the RMZ group - a privately owned real-estate developer and alternative asset owner in India.

A summary of the transaction said the investment is intended to support the long-term growth of MRPL, which develops, leases, and sells commercial real estate in India. The filing notes the potential markets involved are primarily commercial real estate in Bengaluru, as well as commercial real estate for food services in both Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Olin Corporation’s proposed merger with Huntsman Corporation is also under review after CCI sought further information. The companies’ filing identifies possible overlaps in epoxy resins, related chemicals and ethyleneamines in India.