CKI achieves profits with divestment of 3 plants

Unaudited profit after tax for the first half of 2009 attributable to shareholders of CKI amounted to HK$3,885 million. The figure is a 67 percent improvement over the corresponding period in 2008.

This significant growth can be attributed to a one-off gain from the divestment of three power plants, steady operational performance from Cheung Kong Infrastructure's portfolio of infrastructure investments, and improved results from treasury activities.

During the period under review, the Group divested three power plants in Mainland China to HK Electric, resulting in a one-off gain of HK$1,314 million. The divestment of the three power plants enabled CKI to realise the value of some of the mature projects in the portfolio and further enhanced its financial capacity for future expansion opportunities.

Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Limited noted that it achieved solid results for the first half of 2009 despite the financial crisis, as well as lower returns permitted under the new Scheme of Control Agreement, which affects Hongkong Electric Holdings Limited's performance.