In January, Hutchison Global Communications Limited ("HGC") signs a cooperation agreement with Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting Limited ("Galaxy") to deliver Galaxy's pay TV service, leveraging HGC's broadband network in Hong Kong.
In January, Hutchison Port Holdings announces that Karachi International Container Terminal has entered into an agreement with the Karachi Port Trust for development of its Phase III project at West Wharf of Karachi Port. In addition to extending the existing concession period, the project involves deepening the alongside draft to 14 metres, enhancing handling capacity by acquiring and redeveloping additional land area.
In February, Hutchison Global Communications Limited announces a partnership agreement with Company TransTeleCom Ltd. of Russia to jointly roll out international data services provided via a highly reliable and speedy trans-Europe-Asia land cable platform.
In February, Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited announces that its Indian operating arm, Hutchison Max Telecom Private Limited (HMTL) has completed consolidation of its Indian mobile interests. Hutchison Essar Telecom Limited, Hutchison Telecom East Limited, Fascel Limited, Hutchison Essar South Limited and Aircel Digilink India Limited have transferred all their shares to HMTL, whereas HMTL will be renamed as Hutchison Essar Limited. The consolidation has created one of the largest mobile operations in India with a footprint comprising 13 licence areas.
In February, the Group's subsidiary Hutchison Global Communications Limited (HGC) announces a partnership with Skype to deliver Internet telephony services. HGC is the operator of the largest fibre-to-the-building network in Hong Kong and Skype is the Global Internet Telephony Company TM.
In February, Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Hutchison Telecommunications (Vietnam) S.À R.L., has received the investment licence from the Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam to permit it to cooperate with Hanoi Telecommunication Joint Stock Company to build, operate and develop a mobile telecommunications network in Vietnam.
In March, A.S. Watson Group announces its entry into Turkey with its latest acquisition of Cosmo Shop, a local health and beauty retail chain. This acquisition expands A.S. Watson's worldwide footprint to 21 markets.
In March, Hutchison Port Holdings announces that it has entered into agreements with a consortium led by the Alexandria Port Authority for the construction, operation, and management of two terminals at Alexandria Port and El Dekheila Port, Egypt. Alexandria International Container Terminals, a new joint venture company, is being established between HPH and the consortium, will develop these general cargo terminals into modern container handling facilities.
In March, Hutchison Port Holdings announces that, following the completion of the acquisition of a majority stake in Wonly Obszar Gospodarczy S.A. at the Port of Gdynia, Poland, the official name of the Company has been changed to Gdynia Container Terminal S.A. The announcement of the acquisition agreements was first made on 22 October 2004.
In April, Hutchison Port Holdings and Savi Technology, Inc jointly announces the formation of a new company to build and operate an active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based information network to track and manage containerized ocean cargo more efficiently.
In May, A.S. Watson Group announces that its subsidiary Watson's Personal Care Stores Sdn Bhd, the Malaysian unit, has acquired Apex Pharmacy Sdn Bhd from Apex Healthcare Bhd, a Bursa Malaysia main board-listed company. The total value of the acquisition is RM12.2 million.
In June, Hutchison Whampoa Limitd (HWL), Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Limited (CKI) and Hongkong Electric Holdings Limited (HEH) complete acquisition of Blackwater F Limited that owns the North of England Gas Distribution Network (NEG) in the United Kingdom. A consortium led by CKI first enters into an agreement in August 2004 with National Grid Transco PLC to buy NEG. The total consideration for NEG is GBP1.393 billion. CKI and HEH announce on 12 September 2004 that they have entered into an agreement for HEH to acquire from CKI 19.9 per cent interests in NEG.
In June, the Group announces sale of 20 per cent and 10 per cent effective equity in Hongkong International Terminals and COSCO-HIT respectively to PortCapital Limited, an investment holding company backed by Singapore's PSA International Pte Ltd, for a cash consideration of USD925 million (approximately HKD7,215 million).
In June, Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Limited announces that it has signed an agreement with Guangdong Yudean Group Co. Ltd., pledging a joint investment of RMB 6 billion for the extension of Units 3 and 4 of Phase 1 of the Zhuhai Power Plant. The two new units will have an installed capacity of 600 MW each and are expected to commence commercial operation in phases during the second half of 2006, with an annual generating capacity of approximately 7 billion kWh.
In June, A.S. Watson Health and Beauty Continental Europe announces the acquisition of Portegies Drugstore (Portegies) in the Netherlands. An agreement has been reached between A.S. Watson and Portegies to integrate the Dutch operation into the A.S. Watson Group's health and beauty portfolio by rebranding all the stores under one of the A.S. Watson operating brands starting from 16 August 2005.
In July, Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited announces the sale of its Paraguay mobile operations to Mexico's América Móvil S.A. has been completed.
In July, 3 Ireland launches its service in the country offering an unprecedented level of value and service to Irish consumers, as well as access to the most advanced 3G network in the country.
In July, Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited (HTIL) completes the acquisition of 60 per cent of the issued share capital of PT Cyber Access Communications ("Cyber Access") in Indonesia, as announced by HTIL on 9 March 2005. HTIL now has management control of Cyber Access.
In August, A.S. Watson Group announces the completion of the acquisition of Merchant Retail Group which owns the 114 strong Perfume Shop chain.
In August, Hutchison Port Holdings announces that its joint venture company has been awarded a 30-year concession to build and operate a new roll-on and roll-off terminal in Laem Chabang deep-sea port, with the capability of also handling general cargo.
In September, A.S. Watson Group ("A.S. Watson") completes its acquisition of Marionnaud Parfumeries SA. A.S. Watson has now become the world's largest health and beauty chain.
In October, A.S. Watson Group announces acquisition of St Petersburg based Russian health and beauty retail chain, Spektr Group.
In October, the Group announces that, as of 7 October, the Group's 3G global customer base is over 10 million. This milestone comes after only 18 months of operation with full handset availability.
In October, A.S. Watson Group announces the opening of Watsons Your Personal Stores in Tallinn, Estonia.
In November, Hutchison Port Holdings enters into an agreement with the Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC) to invest and operate a container terminal in the Port of Sohar, Oman. The Port is managed by SIPC, which is a joint-venture between the Government of Sultanate of Oman and the Port of Rotterdam.
In November, 3 Italia acquires Channel 7 and becomes the first mobile media company in Europe to own a national digital TV licence.
In December, 3 UK and Ericsson enter into an exclusive managed services partnership. Under the agreement, Ericsson will be responsible for the management of the 3 UK network and its IT infrastructure in the UK.
In December, the Group and Orascom Telecom Holding jointly announce an acquisition by Orascom Telecom of a 19.3 per cent interest in Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited.