25.10.2006   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 257/14

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4429 — AIG/GIP/Stratfield)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2006/C 257/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1.

On 17 October 2006, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertakings American International Group Inc (‘AIG’ USA), and Global Infrastructure Partners — A, L.P. (‘GIP’ USA) [jointly controlled by General Electric (‘GE’, USA), the Credit Suisse Group (‘CSG’, Switzerland) and Global Infrastructure Management Participation LLC (‘GIMP’, USA)], acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the whole of Stratfield Limited (‘Stratfield’ UK) by way of purchase of shares.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—

for AIG: insurance and insurance-related activities;

—

for GIP: investing in equity and equity-related investments in infrastructure and infrastructure-related assets;

—

for GE: a company with interests in diversified technology and services;

—

for CSG: a global financial services institution;

—

for GIMP: a holding company;

—

for Stratfield: a holding company which owns the entities that own and operate London City Airport (‘LCA’).

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (fax No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number Case COMP/M.4429 — AIG/GIP/Stratfield, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.