Energy-lender APICORP to allocate $1bn for ESG 

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Updated 13 September 2021
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Energy-lender APICORP to allocate $1bn for ESG 

  • The Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP), today announced its plans to allocate $1 billion towards green energy projects
  • Currently, green assets comprise more than 13 percent of the multilateral development bank’s overall portfolio

RIYADH: The Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP), today announced its plans to allocate $1 billion towards green energy projects and sustainable energy companies over the next two years, particularly in the MENA region, with a view to concomitantly measure the ESG footprint of all its assets by end of 2023 through active engagement with its stakeholders.

The energy-focused multilateral development bank said in a statement that this new ESG policy framework comes as part of its drive to support energy transition in its member countries and beyond.

Currently, green assets comprise more than 13 percent of the multilateral development bank’s overall portfolio amounting to around $550 million in loans and direct investments - this figure has more than quadrupled over the past five years.

APICORP will also measure the ESG impact when making financing and investment decisions through its new framework, and will focus on supporting the proliferation of renewable energy sources and low-carbon technologies as well as forging more strategic partnerships to promote the sustainability agenda.

The bank will look to introduce green and sustainability bonds in the coming period to accelerate the adoption of sustainable business models within the energy sector and provide industry players with incentives to pursue energy diversification and sustainability practices.

APICORP will also undertake voluntary public reporting on an annual basis drawn from the leading international standards, including the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, The Principles for Responsible Investment, The Principles for Responsible Banking, and The Equator Principles.


Taiba Investments profit rises 9% on stronger pilgrim-driven revenue 

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Taiba Investments profit rises 9% on stronger pilgrim-driven revenue 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Taiba Investments Co. reported a 9.32 percent rise in annual profit to SR364.8 million ($97.20 million) as higher pilgrim flows lifted revenue to SR1.36 billion, a filing on Tadawul showed.  

Net profit attributable to shareholders increased from SR333.7 million a year earlier, with earnings per share climbing to SR1.40 from SR1.28. Revenue rose 3.7 percent to SR1.36 billion in the year ended Dec. 31, compared with SR1.32 billion in 2024. 

Taiba, a hospitality and real estate developer backed by the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, Public Investment Fund, focuses on hotel and property assets primarily in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. 

In a Tadawul filing, the company stated: “This growth was primarily driven by improved performance across the company’s segments in Makkah and Madinah, supported by higher numbers of visitors and Umrah pilgrims, the commencement of operations of new facilities, and increased revenues from the real estate segment.” 

Taiba Investments reported that the SR31.1 million rise in net profit was mainly attributable to improved operating performance, the reversal of a litigation provision previously recognized in 2023 following the termination of a contractual relationship with one of the operators after a settlement between the parties, and capital gains realized from the expropriation of one of its properties in Madinah. 

Total comprehensive income attributable to shareholders declined 55.53 percent to SR198.2 million from SR445.7 million.  

Other comprehensive income recorded a loss of SR166.6 million, compared with a gain of SR111.9 million in the previous year, primarily due to a decline in the fair value of financial derivatives used for hedging and a decrease in the market value of certain investments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. 

Shareholders’ equity increased marginally by 0.04 percent to SR6.85 billion. Taiba's share price saw a 3.03 percent increase to SR34 by 10:20 am Saudi time.