JBS opens research and development center in Sapiens Parque JBS announced this Friday (7) a strategic partnership with Danantara Investment Management, a unit of the Indonesian sovereign wealth fund, to accelerate its expansion in Asia and Oceania. The operation could generate up to US$5 billion (around R$27 billion at current prices), which will be used for acquisitions and investments in Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand and other Southeast Asian markets. ? Sale of stake Under the agreement, the Indonesian investment vehicle will buy a 25% stake in JBS's operations in Australia and New Zealand for US$2.5 billion. Currently, the company produces beef, pork and lamb meat, as well as fish and prepared foods, in Australia. Joesley Batista owner of JBS Joesley Batista owner of JBS Resources for expansion The new company that will be formed by JBS and the Indonesian sovereign wealth fund also intends to raise up to US$2.5 billion in loans on the international market. With this, resources to finance the expansion could reach US$5 billion. According to JBS, the money will be used to finance acquisitions, greenfield projects (built from scratch) and other growth opportunities in Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand and other Southeast Asian markets. IPO is in the plans The companies also agreed on a five-year lock-up period, during which they will maintain their stakes in the joint venture. Furthermore, they expressed their intention to carry out an initial public offering of shares (IPO) of the vehicle created for the partnership. The completion of the transaction still depends on regulatory approvals in Australia and compliance with the usual conditions for this type of transaction, JBS said.