Saudi Arabia’s Ma'aden Agrees to Acquire SABIC Stake in Aluminium Bahrain

The Ma'aden headquarters in Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Ma'aden headquarters in Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

Saudi Arabia’s Ma'aden Agrees to Acquire SABIC Stake in Aluminium Bahrain

The Ma'aden headquarters in Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Ma'aden headquarters in Riyadh. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden), the region's largest multi-commodity metals and mining company, has agreed to acquire SABIC's 20.62% share in Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA), the company said in a statement.

This move is part of Ma'aden's broader strategy to pursue regional growth opportunities across its business, it said.

According to the statement, the acquisition is a key element of Ma'aden's expansion plans, which aim to increase the company's aluminium business tenfold by 2040. This ambitious growth strategy highlights the pivotal role of aluminium in Ma'aden's future development.

The announcement follows recent news that Ma'aden and Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA) have signed non-binding Heads of Terms to explore the potential creation of a major global aluminium entity in the region.

Ma'aden has also revealed its plans to consolidate its aluminium operations through a Share Purchase and Subscription Agreement with its long-term partner, Alcoa. Under this agreement, Alcoa's shares in Ma'aden Aluminium Company (MAC) and Ma'aden Bauxite and Alumina Company (MBAC) will be exchanged for shares in Ma'aden.

"As we continue to grow, acquiring shares in a well-established regional and global aluminium player strongly supports our ambitions,” said Ma'aden CEO Bob Wilt.

“This week, we have announced several transactions that align with our strategic intent to strengthen and expand our business regionally and internationally, further developing mining as the third pillar of the Saudi economy,” he added.



UK Inflation Holds at 2.2% in August as BoE Considers Rates

Pedestrians walk across Oxford Street in London, Britain, September 17, 2024. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
Pedestrians walk across Oxford Street in London, Britain, September 17, 2024. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
TT

UK Inflation Holds at 2.2% in August as BoE Considers Rates

Pedestrians walk across Oxford Street in London, Britain, September 17, 2024. REUTERS/Hannah McKay
Pedestrians walk across Oxford Street in London, Britain, September 17, 2024. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

British inflation stood at an annual rate of 2.2% in August, unchanged from July, but price growth in the services sector - closely watched by the Bank of England - picked up, official figures showed on Wednesday.

A Reuters poll of economists had forecast annual consumer price inflation would remain at 2.2%.

The BoE, which cut interest rates to 5% on Aug. 1, had expected inflation of 2.4% in August before rising to around 2.75% by the end of this year.

The British central bank is due to announce its latest decision on interest rates on Thursday.
"Years of sky-high inflation have taken their toll; and prices are still much higher than four years ago," Darren Jones, a junior minister at the Treasury, said, adding that more manageable inflation was welcome.

Services inflation - an indicator of domestic price pressures - rose to 5.6% from 5.2% in July. The Reuters poll had pointed to a smaller rise to 5.5%.

Sterling strengthened against the dollar immediately after the inflation data was published.