Kalistan

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Mark Ananto Puts offer on Luthori Imperial Oil Shares
Authorized to purchase 80% of shares believed to be on offer
Sulari, Duchy of Suldanor
April 2, 5574


Mark Ananto-Orleans, speaking before Board Meeting of Miramar Holdings

In a somewhat confusing about face for the Empire, Grand Duke Mark Ananto-Orleans has made an initial offer to purchase shares from Luthori's National Oil Company.  "We read in the paper this month," said Grand Duke Mark Ananto-Orleans, "that people who are set on a liberal, free market agenda in Luthori are looking to privatize their nation's petroleum company, over some time.  We obviously do not believe that this is a good idea, as it gives foreign actors an opportunity to have a stake in a nation's strategic production, however, we do not set policy for Luthori, and as Her Imperial Majesty has lifted the Embargo and looks for an opportunity to normalize relations with that Artanian Nation. Therefore, I figured that Miramar should put in a bid on a bloc of stocks that will allow House Ananto to begin siphoning off wealth from their oil industry, that we fully intend to expatriate back to Kalistan, and push Luthori toward green energy.  We will want to direct all earnings toward future privatization events, with the aim of eventually controlling a significant share of that corporation, maybe even the plurality of the stocks in that company."  Miramar, it should be noted, is House Ananto's Business arm, and operates as a holding company for all of House Ananto's investments.

The Grand Duke's offer instantly sparked a bidding war internationally over the possible bloc of stocks, said to be approximately 15% of the company.  "The prices will go up, of course, but Miramar has significant money on the table right now.  We have earmarked ₭16 Billion for the purchase, and another ₭20 Billion to manage price increases due to bidding," said Mark Ananto.  "That will be very expensive stock, but if we can outbid other institutional players who may be interested, we shall try."  Grand Duke Ananto said the stock is currently trading at about ₭31 on the secondary market in Kaliburg, while Luthorian Imperial Oil futures are between ₭81 and ₭85 a barrel, and when word drops about Miramar's interest in the stock, he expects the price to rise dramatically.  "That should cut a lot of Luthorian firms completely out and leave only the big players in the market."

Asked if he was concerned that Luthori would limit Kalistani purchase, Grand Duke Ananto said "Not at all.  I trust they are fully committed to free market ideology, and if they truly are, the Government shouldn't get involved.  They are not mercantilists, like Kalistan is, and appear to be fully embracing economic liberalism.  So why shouldn't we take advantage of that switch in ideology?"

The Grand Duke said that if he is able to secure the block of commodities for Miramar, he hopes someday to make them a present to his cousin, Her Highness the Crown Princess Carolina Ananto-Hulanevek.  "Nothing less than 12% will suffice, this round.  We would be happy with 15% but don't think we will get that, so we may be willing to accept a mere 12%.  Hopefully, I hope to acquire 51%."  For now, the Grand Duke says it's a waiting game:  "The bill hasn't even passed their Parliament.  There may be nothing to buy, after all, when they realize that Kalistan is attempting to buy their stuff off of them.  Or they may decide they don't like ALL of the tenets of economic liberalism, just some of them, and decide to limit the ability a foreign corporation can purchase.  At anything less than 12%, I won't authorize Miramar to spend a cent.  So, let's just see what Luthori does."