SABIC Opens New Prospects in Petrochemicals Investment

SABIC Opens New Prospects in Petrochemicals Investment
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SABIC Opens New Prospects in Petrochemicals Investment

SABIC Opens New Prospects in Petrochemicals Investment

Petrochemicals company SABIC’s announcement of signing memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with six multinational suppliers to establish strategic alliances has opened new global investment prospects in the petrochemical industries.

The company signed on Thursday deals with six suppliers including German conglomerate Siemens, Swiss technology firm ABB; US-Japanese manufacturer Elliott Group; and two Japan-based engineering companies, Yokogawa, Mitsubishi, and US manufacturer Emerson.

The memorandum sets out the framework of cooperation between the parties to enable SABIC to seek joint opportunities and achieve top quartile performance in manufacturing.

The strategic purpose of these alliances is to support Saudi 2030 vision by stimulating national economy and local content, achieve industry-leading performance, leverage technology innovation, enhance knowledge sharing and identification of lucrative opportunities with market-leading organizations.

Yousef Al-Benyan, SABIC vice chairman and CEO, said, “The announcement signals a new phase in our relationship with six of the world’s most forward-looking organizations and supports our efforts to become the world’s preferred petrochemical supplier.”

He added, “We believe in creating smart opportunities and meaningful relationships with companies who can help drive positive sustainable strategic change within our business and the wider community. Our focus is on connecting and collaborating with organizations to influence the mega-trends that are transforming our world – this is Chemistry that Matters.”

SABIC stated that its business strategy places emphasis on fostering high-value collaborations with market-leading companies that can help SABIC and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to secure long-term growth opportunities.

The General Authority for Statistics issued results of Index of Industrial Production during the Second Quarter of 2018. The survey results indicated an increase of 4.17% in the industrial production index during the second quarter of 2018, compared to the first quarter of the same year. The index registered 137.87 points during the second quarter, 2018.

As for the industrial production index activities, the mining and quarrying indicator rose by 1.89%, whereas the manufacturing production increased by 5.07%. However, the production of the electricity and gas supply registered an increase with 83.46% when compared to the first quarter of 2018.

The results also showed an increase of 5.84% in all industrial activities compared to the second quarter of 2017. The growth in mining and quarrying production reached 1.95%, while the manufacturing production growth registered 16.44%. However, the production of electricity and gas supply decreased by 0.30%.



Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
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Revenue Growth, Improved Operational Efficiency Boost Profitability of Saudi Telecom Companies

A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)
A man monitors the movement of stocks on the Saudi Tadawul index. (AFP)

Telecommunications companies listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) achieved a 12.46 percent growth in their net profits, which reached SAR 4.07 billion ($1.09 billion) during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.62 billion ($965 million) during the same period last year.

They also recorded a 4.76 percent growth in revenues during the same quarter, after achieving sales worth more than SAR 26.18 billion ($7 billion), compared to SAR 24.99 billion ($6.66 billion) in the same quarter of 2023.

The growth in the revenues and net profitability is the result of several factors, including the increase in sales volume and revenues, especially in the business sector and fifth generation services, as well as the decrease in operating expenses and the focus on improving operational efficiency, controlling costs, and moving towards investment in infrastructure.

The sector comprises four companies, three of which conclude their fiscal year in December: Saudi Telecom Company (STC), Mobily, and Zain Saudi Arabia. The fiscal year of Etihad Atheeb Telecommunications Company (GO) ends on March 31.

According to its financial results announced on Tadawul, Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily) achieved a 33 percent growth rate of profits, bringing its profits to SAR 661 million by the end of the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 497 million during the same period in 2023. The company also achieved a 4.59 percent growth in revenues to reach SAR 4.47 billion, compared to SAR 4.27 billion in the same quarter of last year.

The Saudi Telecom Company achieved the highest net profits among the sector’s companies, at about SAR 3.304 billion in the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 3.008 billion in the same quarter of 2023. The company registered a growth of 4.52 percent in revenues.

On the other hand, the revenues of the Saudi Mobile Telecommunications Company (Zain Saudi Arabia) increased by about 6.69 percent, as it recorded SAR 2.55 billion during the second quarter of 2024, compared to SAR 2.39 billion in the same period last year.

Commenting on the quarterly results of the sector’s companies, and the varying net profits, the head of asset management at Rassanah Capital, Thamer Al-Saeed, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi Telecom Company remains the sector leader in terms of customer base expansion.

He also noted the continued efforts of Mobily and Zain to offer many diverse products and other services.

Financial advisor at the Arab Trader Mohammed Al-Maymouni said the financial results of telecom sector companies have maintained a steady growth, up to 12 percent, adding that Mobily witnessed strong progress compared to the rest of the companies, despite the great competition which affected its revenues.

He added that Zain was moving at a good pace and its revenues have improved during the second quarter of 2024. However, its profits were affected by an increase in the financing cost by SAR 26.5 million riyals and a rise in interest, while net income declined significantly compared to the previous year, during which the company made exceptional returns.