Last month, CIC posted a return of 11.7 percent on its overseas investment in 2010.

CIC may buy 30% stake in France's GDF Suez

中投或收購法能源30%股權

China Investment Corp. (CIC), the country's sovereign wealth fund, is close to sealing a deal with French energy group GDF Suez, purchasing a 30-percent stake in the latter's exploration and production business, China Business News reported Tuesday.

French newspaper Les Echos reported Monday that the transaction would cost CIC 2 to 3 billion euros.

GDF Suez reportedly plans to set up an exploration and production subsidiary by the end of the year and raise more funds through the unit.

If the plan goes through, the energy giant is expected to announce the deal on Wednesday when it posts its earnings results.

CIC may also invest with GDF Suez in its businesses in the Asia Pacific region, except the French firm's China business, a source close to the matter told China Business News.

Spokespeople from GDF Suez and CIC have declined to comment on the deal.

Last month, CIC posted a return of 11.7 percent on its overseas investments in 2010. The company's net income rose 24 percent to US$51.6 billion. Total assets increased 23 percent to US$409.6 billion by the end of last year.

中國主權投資基金中國投資有限責任公司或將收購法國能源集團GDF Suez (GSZ.FR)旗下勘探和生產子公司30%的股權，第一財經日報周二報道稱。

法國報紙《Les Echos》8日報導，中投將以20億-30億歐元完成交易。

報道稱，GDF Suez正計劃在年底時設立一個勘探－生產子公司，并籌集更多資本。

如果該計劃得以順利進行，GDF Suez可能在周三發布業績時宣布相關計劃。

據悉，中投公司還將參股GDF Suez在亞太地區除中國以外的所有業務，第一財經引用熟悉相關情況的消息來源稱。

但報道稱未得到GDF Suez的相關人士置評。

中投在上個月公布2010年業績，獲得了11.7%的回報率。公司凈收入為516億美元，同比上漲24%。去年年末，中投總資產同比上漲了23%，達4096億美元。