Hutchison Telecom says seeks bids for Partner

HONG KONG, July 8 (Reuters) - Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd 2332.HK, a telecommunications arm of Hutchison Whampoa (0013.HK), said late on Tuesday it had invited bids for its stake in Israel mobile operator Partner Communications (PTNR.TA). The company said in a statement that it had yet to enter into any agreements on a sale. It gave no further details.

Hong Kong conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa (0013.HK) has asked potential buyers to submit bids for its majority stake in Israel's Partner Communications, the Maariv newspaper in Tel Aviv said on Monday. [ID:nL6256797]

Israel's Scailex Corp (SCIX.TA) is among those interested in Partner, which is 51 percent owned by Hutchison Telecommunications.

Shares of Hutchison Telecommunications have risen more than 33 percent so far this year to end at HK$1.94 on Tuesday. (US$1=HK$7.75) (Reporting by Donny Kwok; editing by Jonathan Hopfner)