Pantaloon has agreed to shed off its 22.5% in a life insurance venture it has with Italian Assicurazioni Generali.

Private equity companies are calling to the Japanese government for the limited role of the country's two largest government funds which have been successful in taking over companies.

Coca-Cola Hellenic's plan to shift its base to Switzerland from Greece has been approved by authorities.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. said that it will not pursue its investment in Japan's Sharp Corp. by a deadline set on March 26 after both companies failed to revise an earlier agreement, the Asahi newspaper said.

Smithfields Food split recommended through letter by shareholder. One of the biggest shareholders in Smithfield Foods Inc has formally recommended to the board to split America's largest hog producer into three separate distinct units.

The interest of CVC Capital Partners is being sold in the market drawing much interest. CVC Capital Partners, who is backed up by Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC and Schroders, the asset manager, has raised US$200 million in pledges.

CNOOC to guarantee Nexen bond issue. Nexen is seeking to amend its current terms of debt with holders of almost US$4 billion worth in bonds. The amendments seek to remove some of the conditionalities as well as add CNOOC as guarantor of the bond issue.

Klaus-Michael Kuehne,Hapag-Lloyd's co-owwner,told that the company and its merger partner Hamburg-Sued will be having equal rights for the combined company.

The listing of Mando's Chinese unit would be done in the Hong Kong bourse. The largest unit of the Halla Group of South Korea is planning to undertake an initial public offering of its Chinese unit.

Atlantia and Gemina Boards discuss merger terms. The respective boards of Atlantia, the Italian motorway company and Gemina, the owner of ADR is expected to approve the terms of their proposed merger by Friday.