GEMS delays planned London Stock Exchange IPO as UAE authorities freeze hikes in private school fees: Dubai-based GEMS Education, one of the largest education providers in in emerging markets with 47 schools and nurseries in the GCC, appears to have parked plans for an IPO after the UAE government unexpectedly said it would freeze school fees, Bloomberg reports. GEMS, which is backed by PE giant Blackstone, is studying the potential impact on its earnings projections following the authorities’ decision to keep private school fees unchanged for a year, people close to the matter said. The firm may revisit the share offering later in the year or consider selling a stake to a single buyer, they added. GEMS had reportedly rebuffed interest from a private equity company that approached GEMS about buying a stake, opting instead for the share sale. Here in Egypt, GEMS partnered with EFG Hermes last month to acquire four schools in Madinaty and Al Rehab from the Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) for EGP 1 bn.

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