The Israeli businessman has had talks with former Partner CEO Amikam Cohen.
Sources inform "Globes" that Israeli businessman Ilan Ben-Dov is interested in forming a group of investors to acquire cellular operator Partner Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq: PTNR; TASE: PTNR).
Ben-Dov recently met with former Partner CEO Amikam Cohen, who is representing the cellular operator's controlling shareholder Hong Kong-based Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd. (HKSE: 2332; NYSE: HTX). Ben-Dov and Cohen spoke about the possibility of acquiring Partner. Sources close to Ben-Dov confirm that he is interested in the acquisition.
However, other sources close to Ben-Dov feel that the deal is unlikely to go ahead because the risks are too high for him. Ben-Dov owns Suny Electronics, which imports and distributes the mobile phone handsets of Samsung.
Also competing to buy Partner are Eurocom Group, owned by chairman Shaul Elovitch; and First Israel Mezzanine Investors Fund (FIMI), run by CEO Ishay Davidi.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 23, 2009
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