A telecoms unit of Hong Kong’s Hutchison Whampoa, the conglomerate controlled by billionaire Li Ka-shing, is in talks to sell its stake in an Israeli unit that is valued at about $1.3bn.

Hutchison Telecommunications International (HTIL) said it had been approached by “various interested parties” regarding such a sale of its 51 per cent stake in Partner Communications, its Israeli subsidiary. HTIL said no agreement had been made.