Rolls Royce and Qatar unite to create green start-ups fund worth billions of pounds

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Updated 31 October 2021
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Rolls Royce and Qatar unite to create green start-ups fund worth billions of pounds

  • The target is to create five “unicorn” companies — start-ups worth $1 billion — by 2030

Qatar is set to join forces with Rolls Royce to launch a fund worth billions in investments in green engineering projects with a focus on an engineering hub in the UK with the potential for 10,000 jobs, The Sunday Times reported.

The UK broadsheet quoted sources close to the project reporting that a new science and engineering campus in the north of England would be built by the Middle Eastern state for start-ups to test and develop green technologies.

The target is to create five “unicorn” companies — start-ups worth $1 billion — by 2030 and up to 20 by 2040.

A sister campus would be built in Qatar.

The project will be one of the largest inward investments by a foreign state to the UK and the ST suggested an announcement could be made at the COP26 summit.

It is believed talks on the project have been underway for the best part of a year and venture capitalists and private equity firms are involved.

The article also stated that both Qatar and RR are also in talks with British universities to get involved in the project with a projected date of opening for 2023 and 1,000 jobs. 


Closing Bell: Saudi equities continue 4-day upward trend 

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Closing Bell: Saudi equities continue 4-day upward trend 

RIYADH: Saudi equities closed higher on Wednesday, with the Tadawul All Share Index rising 51.52 points, or 0.47 percent, to finish at 10,945.15. 

Trading activity was robust, with 373.9 million shares exchanged and total turnover reaching SR6.81 billion. 

The MT30 Index also ended the session in positive territory, advancing 11.93 points, or 0.82 percent, to 1,472.82, while the Nomu Parallel Market Index declined 116.82 points, or 0.49 percent, to 23,551.47, reflecting continued volatility in the parallel market.

The main market saw 90 gainers against 171 decliners, indicating selective buying. 

On the upside, Al Kathiri Holding Co. led gainers, closing at SR2.18, up SR0.12, or 5.83 percent. Wafrah for Industry and Development Co. advanced to SR23, gaining SR0.99, or 4.5 percent, while Al Ramz Real Estate Co. rose 4.35 percent to close at SR60.

SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co. added 4.21 percent to SR118.70, and Al Jouf Agricultural Development Co. climbed 4.12 percent to SR45. 

Meanwhile, losses were led by Saudi Industrial Export Co., which fell 9.73 percent to SR2.69. United Cooperative Assurance Co. declined 5.08 percent to SR3.74, while Thimar Development Holding Co. dropped 4.54 percent to SR35.30.  

Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. retreated 4.15 percent to SR48.50, and Gulf Union Alahlia Cooperative Insurance Co. slipped 3.96 percent to SR10.44. 

On the announcement front, Saudi National Bank announced its intention to issue US dollar-denominated Additional Tier 1 capital notes under its existing international capital programe, with the final size and terms to be determined subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals.  

The planned issuance aims to strengthen Tier 1 capital and support the bank’s broader financial and strategic objectives.  

The stock closed at SR42.70, gaining SR0.70, or 1.67 percent, reflecting positive investor reaction to the capital management move. 

Separately, Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. said its board approved the establishment of a wholly owned simplified joint stock company to provide drilling, exploration and related support services, with a share capital of SR100 million and headquarters in Najran, subject to regulatory approvals.  

The new subsidiary aligns with the company’s strategy to enhance operational efficiency and expand its role in the Kingdom’s mining sector.

Shares of Almasane Alkobra Mining closed at SR98.70, up SR0.30, or 0.3 percent, by the end of the session.