DUBAI: The forthcoming sale of shares in Saudi Aramco, the world’s biggest oil company, will help generate sustainable growth and quality jobs for citizens of the Kingdom, according to Minister of Energy Khalid Al-Falih.
In his message unveiling Aramco’s 2016 annual review on Thursday, Al-Falih, who is also chairman of the oil giant, said the planned initial public offering (IPO) on Saudi and international stock markets was “the most notable feature of the Kingdom’s transformation” as set out in the Vision 2030 plan to reduce its dependence on oil revenue.
“The Vision, which aims to diversify the national economy beyond oil and build a thriving private sector, will enable Saudi Aramco to expand its global presence. Concurrently with the Vision, the company will enlarge its supply chain and improve business reliability through a local network of suppliers and manufacturers while increasing the competitiveness of Saudi Arabia’s energy sector,” he said.
He added that the IPO — which is set to value Aramco at $2 trillion and which is scheduled for late next year — would “elevate the international visibility of the company’s decision making and governance, and building confidence in its long-term strategy.”
In 2016, which Al-Falih said was a “challenging year,” Aramco reached an all-time record for production of crude oil, pumping an average of 10.5 million barrels a day (mbd) — the biggest daily figure of any oil company in history.
Late in the year, Saudi Arabia led the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) initiative to cap oil production in the face of falling prices, which Al-Falih said has “set the stage for an improved business environment in 2017.”
He said that 2016 was a “turning point” for Aramco, Saudi Arabia and the global oil industry.
Saudi Arabia ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change in 2016, just before the US signaled it was to leave the global pact to protect the environment. Al-Falih said that “the role of oil and gas in the global energy mix will remain significant for decades to come.”
Saudi Aramco IPO will guarantee growth and jobs: Al-Falih
Saudi Aramco IPO will guarantee growth and jobs: Al-Falih
Closing Bell: Saudi main market closes the week in red at 10,526
RIYADH: Saudi equities ended Thursday’s session modestly lower, with the Tadawul All Share Index slipping 14.63 points, or 0.14 percent, to close at 10,526.09.
The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index also declined 3.66 points, or 0.26 percent, to 1,389.66. In contrast, the parallel market outperformed, as Nomu jumped 237.72 points, or 1.02 percent, to close at 23,430.93.
Market breadth on the main market remained tilted to the downside, with 156 stocks ending lower against 99 gainers.
Trading activity eased further, with volumes reaching 80.46 million shares and total traded value amounting to SR1.66 billion ($442 million).
On the movers’ board, Saudi Industrial Export Co. led the gainers, rising 6.6 percent to SR2.10, followed by Consolidated Grunenfelder Saady Holding Co., which advanced 6.43 percent to SR9.60.
Raoom Trading Co. climbed 4.36 percent to SR61.05, while Astra Industrial Group gained 4.35 percent to close at SR139. Riyadh Cables Group Co. added 3.77 percent to end the session at SR135.00.
On the downside, Methanol Chemicals Co. topped the losers’ list, falling 5.96 percent to SR7.41.
Flynas Co. retreated 5.43 percent to SR61.00, while Leejam Sports Co. dropped 5 percent to close at SR100.80.
Alramz Real Estate Co. slipped 4.64 percent to SR55.50, and Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. declined 4.55 percent to SR84.00.
On the announcement front, ACWA Power said it has completed the financial close for the Ras Mohaisen First Water Desalination Co., a reverse osmosis desalination project with a capacity of up to 300,000 cubic meters per day, alongside associated potable water storage facilities totaling 600,000 cubic meters in Saudi Arabia’s Western Province.
The project was financed through a consortium of local and international banks, with total funding of SR2.07 billion and a tenor of up to 29.5 years, while ACWA Power holds an effective 45 percent equity stake.
Shares of ACWA Power ended the session at SR185.90, up SR0.2, or 0.11 percent.
Meanwhile, Consolidated Grunenfelder Saady Holding Co. announced the sign-off of a customized solutions project with Saudi Aramco Nabors Drilling Co., valued at SR166.0 million excluding VAT.
The 24-month contract covers the sale and maintenance of field camp facilities, with the financial impact expected to begin from the first quarter of 2026.
