A&O Shearman represented České Radiokomunikace (CRA), a premier multi-asset digital infrastructure platform in the Czech Republic, on a CZK 5 billion refinancing transaction arranged by Komerční banka, Česká spořitelna, ING, Citibank, PKO Bank Polski, Raiffeisen Bank and Tatra banka as lender partners.
Ultimately owned by the London Stock Exchange-listed by Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited, CRA is at the forefront of providing television, radio, and internet infrastructure. This refinancing is a strategic move, designed to provide CRA a stable financing platform to allow it to pursue its growth plans, particularly in the data centre and cloud services sectors.
Commenting on the transaction, Jan Skuhravý said: “We are seeing a huge and increasing demand for data infrastructure in Europe and around the world. This transaction and the growth potential that it unlocks for CRa clearly fits in that pattern. We were pleased to support CRa on the refinancing, in particular as it follows hot on the heels of us advising CRa on the recent acquisition of Cloud4Com and DC Lužice from KKCG’s Aricoma.”
Jiří Černík, Chief Financial Officer at CRA, added: “The successful completion of the long-term refinancing gives our company stability and the opportunity for further organic and inorganic growth. We plan to use the additional funds primarily for the construction of a data centre in Prague-Zbraslav. I would like to thank all the lenders and advisors who participated in this transaction and look forward to further cooperation.”
The transaction involved a cross-border team of A&O Shearman from Prague and London, headed by London-based partner Jan Skuhravý who worked closely with Prague-based partner Petr Vybíral, senior associate Martina Kristianová and associates Jan Václav Nedvídek and David Mikyska.