statement on Tuesday. Parkway bought an additional 35 million shares, or an 8.8 per cent stake, in the open market for RM1.70 each. The company also purchased 24.3 million warrants from Datuk Lim for RM1.33 apiece, bringing the total to RM311.6 million. Parkway, which is 26 per cent owned by US private equity fund Newbridge Capital, said there will be potential operational synergies with its existing two Malaysian hospitals and other hospitals in the region. With the deal, Parkway would control Pantai's seven hospitals and about 1,000 beds. An analyst from Nomura Advisory Services told The Business Times that the entry of Parkway, an established health-care provider with a proven track record, would substantially boost Pantai's performance. "There are not many players within Malaysia. Given Parkways entry, it should facilitate those who want to sell," the analyst said. JP Morgan's research head Melvyn Boey told the paper: "Most important (about the purchase) is that Parkway is very experienced in the healthcare industry and the whole consolidation exercise will help the industry." The entry of Parkway, the owner of the Gleneagles group of hospitals, could alert other private hospitals that there is a ready buyer in town. Parkway Holdings Limited began operating as a subsidiary of Parkway Pantai Limited in August 2010. References External links Official website of Parkway Pantai Health care companies of Singapore Singaporean brands IHH Healthcare Companies listed on the Singapore Exchange