All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

In April 2020, Facebook—an American social media and technology company — announced its plan to buy ______% equity stake in Reliance Jio.

The correct answer is

9.99

Understanding the Facebook-Reliance Jio Investment

In April 2020, a significant announcement was made regarding an investment in Reliance Jio Platforms by Facebook. This deal involved Facebook, a major American social media and technology company, acquiring a substantial equity stake in the Indian digital services company, Reliance Jio.

Details of the Facebook-Jio Deal

The transaction announced in April 2020 saw Facebook planning to invest a significant amount of money into Reliance Jio Platforms. This investment was one of the largest foreign direct investments in India's technology sector at the time. The primary goal for Facebook was to leverage Jio's extensive digital ecosystem and reach in India, particularly through platforms like WhatsApp, which is widely used in the country, to facilitate digital commerce and other services.

The key aspect of the deal was the percentage of equity stake that Facebook intended to purchase. This figure represented Facebook's ownership percentage in Reliance Jio Platforms after the completion of the transaction.

Analyzing the Equity Stake Percentage

The question asks for the specific percentage of the equity stake in Reliance Jio that Facebook announced its plan to buy in April 2020. Let's look at the options provided:

  • 20.0%
  • 9.99%
  • 1.99%
  • 2.99%

Based on the official announcement and reports from April 2020, Facebook's planned investment translated to a 9.99% equity stake in Reliance Jio Platforms. This percentage was strategically chosen to avoid triggering certain regulatory requirements that would apply if the stake reached 10% or more.

Impact and Significance

This partnership between Facebook and Reliance Jio aimed to create new opportunities for businesses and individuals in India. It focused on areas like digital commerce, connecting millions of small businesses with customers through digital tools, particularly utilizing the reach of WhatsApp and JioMart. The investment highlighted the growing importance of the Indian digital market for global technology giants.

Therefore, the equity stake Facebook planned to buy in Reliance Jio in April 2020 was 9.99%.

Revision Table: Key Aspects of the Facebook-Jio Deal

Aspect Detail
Announcement Date April 2020
Investing Company Facebook (Meta Platforms)
Investee Company Reliance Jio Platforms
Equity Stake Acquired 9.99%
Primary Focus Digital commerce, leveraging WhatsApp & Jio Platforms

Additional Information: Reliance Jio Platforms & Digital India

Reliance Jio Platforms is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) that encompasses RIL's digital businesses, including Jio's telecommunications services, digital apps, and other technology ventures. It has played a significant role in expanding internet connectivity and digital services across India.

The investment by Facebook was part of a series of investments made by global technology firms and investors into Jio Platforms around the same period, demonstrating the growing international interest in India's digital economy and the potential of the Jio ecosystem.

The deal required regulatory approvals and was eventually completed, solidifying the partnership between the two companies and paving the way for collaborative projects aimed at accelerating India's digital transformation.

Was this answer helpful?

Important Questions from Acquisitions and Merger

  1. Recently Microsoft announced its 26.2 billion dollar acquisition of which one of the following professional networking sites?

  2. With which bank have Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank been merged?

  3. Name the media company that purchased the legendary studio of 21st Century Fox.

  4. In November 2020, Mercedes-Benz collaborated with ______ to offer financial benefits to potential HNI (High Net Worth Individual) customers.

  5. Which one of these is the parent company of Google?

Need Expert Advice?

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App