Troubled UAE hospital operator NMC Health said on Tuesday its debt pile now stood at $6.6 billion, much higher than earlier estimates, and that it has appointed a former PwC partner as chief restructuring officer to tackle the problem.
The company, which has been in crisis since US firm Muddy Waters’ short attack, revised its debt position from $5 billion earlier in March, and named Matthew J. Wilde as chief restructuring officer.
“We are certain that his expertise and experience will bring significant benefit to the Group as NMC develops a plan to address the Group’s financial indebtedness,” NMC said.
Wilde has been involved in many major restructurings in the Middle East region in recent years including DubaiWorld, DryDocks World, Carillion, Al Jaber Group and OW Bunker, NMC said.
NMC’s stock price had dwindled in value before being placed on suspension since Muddy Waters questioned its financial statements in December. Following which, NMC’s founder BR Shetty stepped down from the board last month.
There are concerns that Shetty’s financial troubles could be spreading to other companies he is associated with, including payments group Finablr, which he helped found in 2018.
There are cheques that could go up to $50 million, which may have been used as security for financing arrangements for the benefit of third parties, NMC said as it announced the departure of finance chief Prasanth Shenoy after a period of extended leave for ill health.
On the coronavirus outbreak, NMC said it has taken steps to meet the health and safety needs of the community.
UAE-based NMC Health’s debt up at $6.6 billion
https://arab.news/5vwhf
UAE-based NMC Health’s debt up at $6.6 billion
- The company revised its debt position from $5 billion earlier in March
- Concerns that founder BR Shetty’s financial troubles could be spreading to other companies he is associated with
Saudi POS spending opens 2026 with a 31% surge: SAMA
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s total point-of-sale transactions reached SR17 billion ($4.5 billion) in the week ending Jan. 3, with all sectors recording positive weekly growth.
According to the latest data from the Saudi Central Bank, the total POS value represented a 30.6 percent week-on-week increase, while the number of transactions rose 15.7 percent to 255.36 million.
Spending on freight transport, postal and courier services recorded the sharpest increase, surging 110.9 percent to SR74.22 million, followed by education, which rose 66.4 percent to SR235.51 million.
Expenditure on personal care increased by 31.7 percent, while spending on books and stationery rose 36 percent. Jewelry outlays climbed 48 percent to SR544.12 million.
Further gains were recorded across other categories. Spending at pharmacies on medical supplies rose 42.1 percent to SR284.81 million, while expenditure on medical services increased 20.8 percent to SR556.27 million.
The food and beverages sector saw outlays rise 41.4 percent to SR2.7 billion, accounting for the largest share of POS transactions.
Restaurants and cafes followed with a 20.9 percent increase to SR1.9 billion, while apparel and clothing spending rose 30 percent to SR1.6 billion, ranking third.
Together, the top three categories accounted for approximately 36.53 percent of total POS spending, or SR6.22 billion.
Saudi Arabia’s major urban centers mirrored the national surge.
Riyadh, which accounted for the largest share of POS spending, saw a 21 percent increase to SR5.61 billion, up from SR4.63 billion the previous week.
The number of transactions in the capital rose 12.2 percent to 79.6 million.
In Jeddah, transaction values increased 25.6 percent to SR2.24 billion, while Dammam posted a 26.1 percent rise to SR831.93 million.
POS data, tracked weekly by SAMA, provides an indicator of consumer spending trends and the ongoing growth of digital payments in Saudi Arabia.
The data also highlights the expanding reach of POS infrastructure, extending beyond major retail hubs to smaller cities and service sectors, supporting broader digital inclusion initiatives.
The growth of digital payment technologies aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, promoting electronic transactions and contributing to the Kingdom’s broader digital economy.
