Germany's DWS Group gets CCI nod to acquire stake in Nippon Life India AIF unit

New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Tuesday approved German asset manager DWS Group’s proposal to acquire a stake in Nippon Life India AIF Management Ltd.

Nippon Life India AIF Management Ltd (NIAIF), a subsidiary of Nippon Life India Asset Management Ltd (NAMI), is engaged in alternative asset management and acts as an investment manager and/or sponsor to Sebi-registered Alternative Investment Funds.

CCI said it has approved the proposed deal.

It is also registered with Sebi as a co-investment portfolio manager, while Frankfurt-based DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA is an asset manager with global reach.

“CCI approves the proposed combination involving acquisition of certain shareholding in Nippon Life India AIF Management

Limited by DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA,” the competition watchdog said in a post on X.

In March this year, DWS announced signing agreements to acquire a 40 per cent equity stake in NIAIF through subscription to newly issued shares, making it a minority shareholder and strategic partner in the company.

NIAIF is currently in an early growth phase and has built a portfolio spanning private credit, listed equities, real estate and venture capital.

According to DWS, the partnership will combine NAMI’s investment expertise in India with DWS’s global reach and product capabilities.

In a separate deal, CCI also cleared the proposed combination involving the acquisition of shareholding of seven SPVs by Anantam Highways Trust (InvIT) and issuance of units of the InvIT to Build India Infrastructure Fund, Dilip Buildcon Ltd and DBL Infraventures Pvt Ltd.

Bhopal-based Dilip Buildcon Ltd (DBL) is an engineering, procurement, and construction and operation & maintenance company, while DBL Infraventures is its wholly-owned subsidiary.

“CCI approves the proposed combination involving the acquisition of shareholding of seven SPVs by Anantam Highways Trust (InvIT) and issuance of units of the InvIT to Build India Infrastructure Fund, Dilip Buildcon Ltd and DBL Infraventures Pvt Ltd,” the regulator said on X.

Deals beyond a certain threshold require approval from the regulator, which keeps a tab on unfair business practices as well as promotes fair competition in the marketplace. PTI HG HG BAL BAL