Alabbar steps down as Emaar chairman

The move is to comply with new regulatory requirements that the same person can serve as chairman or the board of directors and hold an executive position with a company. (File/AFP)
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Updated 13 December 2020
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Alabbar steps down as Emaar chairman

  • The move is to comply with new regulatory requirements that the same person can serve as chairman or the board of directors and hold an executive position with a company
  • Jamal Bin Theniyah, previously vice chairman has been appointed as Alabbar’s replacement, with Ahmed Jawa named as new vice chairman

DUBAI: Mohamed Alabbar has stood down as chairman of Emaar Properties, but will continue to oversee the day-to-day running of the Dubai developer as managing director, according to a bourse statement. 

“It was resolved that H.E. Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Founder of Emaar, be devoted to the executive management matters and the day-to-day affairs of Emaar,” the company said in a statement to the Dubai stock market on Sunday.

The move is to comply with new regulatory requirements that the same person cannot serve as chairman of the board of directors and hold an executive position with a company.

Jamal Bin Theniyah, previously vice chairman has been appointed as Alabbar’s replacement, with Ahmed Jawa named as new vice chairman.

Last month, Emaar Properties, the developer behind iconic Dubai landmarks such as The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa - the world's talelst building - reported revenue of $3.641 billion and net profit of $663.31 million for the first nine months of 2020.

“Looking to the future, I am cautiously optimistic about the remainder of the year and I am confident that things will be in better shape across most sectors by summer 2021.

“Meanwhile, we continue to maintain our focus on meeting and exceeding our customer expectations, delivering long-term, sustainable results across our business units, and strengthening our organization and services for the future ahead,” Alabbar said in a press statement.


Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

RIYADH: Saudi mining and metals company Maaden has reported a 156 percent jump in its net profit attributable to shareholders for 2025, driven by higher commodity prices, record production volumes, and a one-off bargain purchase gain.

The state-backed giant posted a net profit of SR7.35 billion ($1.95 billion) for the full year 2025, an increase from SR2.87 billion in the previous year. The firm’s revenue surged by 19 percent to SR38.58 billion, up from SR32.55 billion in 2024.

This comes as Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to expand its mining sector as a pillar of economic diversification, encouraging international participation and private investment to unlock the Kingdom’s estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources under Vision 2030.    

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said: “Performance was led by record phosphate production, near record aluminum production, an increase in all three of Maaden’s main output commodity prices.”

The performance was also fueled by a 60 percent increase in gross profit, which reached SR14.79 billion. In its annual results announcement, Maaden attributed the top-line growth to “higher commodity market prices for phosphate, aluminum and gold business units,” as well as increased sales volumes in its phosphate and aluminum segments. This was partially offset by slightly lower sales volume in the gold unit.

Maaden’s CEO, Bob Wilt, hailed 2025 as a transformative year for the company, marked by strategic growth and operational excellence. “This was a great year for Maaden’s strategic growth. We delivered strong financial results and sustained operational excellence across the business,” he said in a statement.

“This was driven by growth in production across all businesses, including record-breaking DAP (di-ammonium phosphatevolumes), disciplined cost control across and a clear commitment to our role as a cornerstone of the Saudi economy,” Wilt added.

Profitability was further bolstered by an increased share of net profit from joint ventures and an associate. This included a one-off bargain purchase gain of SR768 million related to Maaden’s investment in Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. The company also benefited from lower finance costs.

The fourth quarter of 2025 was strong, with Maaden swinging to a net profit of SR1.67 billion, compared to a loss of SR106 million in the same period of the prior year. Quarterly revenue rose 7 percent to SR10.64 billion.

The firm achieved record production of di-ammonium phosphate, reaching 6.72 million tonnes for the year, a 9 percent increase. Aluminum production remained near-record levels, while the company added a net 7.8 million ounces to its reportable gold mineral resources through discovery and resource development.

The phosphate division saw sales jump 17 percent to SR20.77 billion, with the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization margin expanding to 47 percent. The aluminum business reported a 9 percent increase in sales to SR10.99 billion, with EBITDA more than doubling in the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead, Wilt emphasized that the pace of growth will accelerate as the company advances key initiatives, including the Phosphate 3 Phase 1 and Ar Rjum projects, which remain on budget and schedule. Maaden has also secured a gas supply for its future Phosphate 4 project.

“This pace of growth will only accelerate. Not only as we advance projects and increase the scale of our exploration program, but as we continue to grow production and implement technology that will further modernize, streamline and unlock value,” Wilt added.

Earnings per share for the year rose sharply to SR1.91, up from SR0.78 in 2024. Total shareholders’ equity increased by 18.7 percent to SR61.59 billion.