23/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - Mergers: Blackstone/Multi. On 23 July, the Commission gave the go-ahead to the acquisition of sole control over Multi Corporation of the Netherlands by the Blackstone Group of the United States. Blackstone is a global alternative asset manager and provides financial advisory services. Multi is active in the real estate sector in several countries, including in the European Union. Multi's main activity is real estate development. In addition, Multi is active to a limited extent in the renting of commercial real estate. Multi's portfolio consists mainly of shopping centres. The Commission concluded that the transaction would not raise competition concern, in particular because the parties have very limited combined market shares. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. (FG/transl.fl)