Abertis Infraestructuras : 04/01/2014 Abertis consolidates as a global company and concentrates on growth to continue creating value for its shareholders

At its General Shareholders' Meeting, Abertis has rated 2013 as the year in which the Group has consolidated its business strategy. The Chairman of Abertis, Salvador Alemany, stated in his speech:  "2013 was the first year in which we consolidated the new concession companies in Brazil and Chile, which have contributed decisively to changing the Group scope, positioning us as world leaders in toll road management".

Salvador Alemany stressed "the geographical diversification, increased size, focus on the toll road and telecommunications businesses and efficient management of resources" as the primary keys of the management of the company.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer Francisco Reynés stressed to shareholders that in 2013 the company has made investments worth almost €1,200Mn, taking into account those earmarked for growth - among which were the takeover of Hispasat and purchase of mobile phone towers from Telefonica and Yoigo -and capex investments for maintenance, improvement and expansion of existing assets under management.

The Group has also continued with the process of focusing the asset portfolio with divestment amounting to €1,000Mn in 2013, following the sale of the airport business and a 3% stake in Eutelsat.

Francisco Reynés also mentioned the reinforcement of the industrial role of Abertis in various businesses in which it had so far held a financial contribution. In this respect comes the takeover of Hispasat in 2013, after the purchase of 16% from the INTA aerospace institute. He also highlighted the purchase in 2014 of an additional 6% of Metropistas in Puerto Rico, taking the Group's stake up to 51% of the capital, and the acquisition in Chile of 9% of the toll road concession companies Los Libertadores and Autopistas del Sol, giving the Group more than 50% of their capital.