A Chinese investment consortium is offering $1.2 billion for Norway's Opera Software, which provides services for apps and web browsers, the Financial Times reported, citing Lars Boilesen, Opera's CEO.

Golden Brick Silk Road, a Chinese investment fund, joined forces with Shenzhen-listed Beijing Kunlun Tech Co and Qihoo 360 Technology, a Chinese firm listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the newspaper said.

The offer was for $8.34 a share, which was a 53 percent premium to Opera's closing share price on February 4,

Opera said its board had unanimously decided to recommend the deal to its shareholders.

"We believe that the consortium, with its breadth of experience and strong position in emerging markets, will be a strong owner of Opera", Boilesen told the FT.

To contact the reporter: chris@mail.chinadailyuk.com