Approval granted to Abu Dhabi-based group to acquire First Women Bank Ltd.
The Competition Commission of Pakistan
(CCP) has approved the acquisition of First
Women Bank Limited (FWBL) by Abu Dhabi-based Eve Holdings RSC Limited after
completing a Phase-I review under the Competition Act, 2010.
Under the agreement, Eve Holdings will purchase the entire shareholding of FWBL from the Government of Pakistan and institutional investors — Habib Bank Limited, MCB Bank Limited, Allied Bank Limited, National Bank of Pakistan, and United Bank Limited — thereby assuming full ownership and control of the commercial bank.
Read
More UAE
acquires majority stake in First Women Bank, boosting UAE–Pakistan economic
ties
In its assessment, the CCP determined that FWBL holds a relatively small share of Pakistan’s commercial banking market, while Eve Holdings currently has no presence in the relevant or adjacent markets. The regulator categorized the deal as a conglomerate merger and concluded that it is unlikely to create or enhance market dominance, reduce competition, or distort the market structure.
The commission confirmed that the transaction
complies with the Competition Act, 2010, and raises no competition concerns.
According to the CCP, the acquisition underscores sustained foreign investor confidence in Pakistan’s financial sector and highlights the importance of transparent privatization and robust competition oversight in attracting investment, strengthening financial institutions, and fostering economic growth.
Source: Profit Pakistan