SABIC Committed to Investment Plans

SABIC Vice Chairman and CEO Yousef al-Bunyan attends the Saudi-India Forum in New Delhi, India. (File photo/Reuters)
SABIC Vice Chairman and CEO Yousef al-Bunyan attends the Saudi-India Forum in New Delhi, India. (File photo/Reuters)
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SABIC Committed to Investment Plans

SABIC Vice Chairman and CEO Yousef al-Bunyan attends the Saudi-India Forum in New Delhi, India. (File photo/Reuters)
SABIC Vice Chairman and CEO Yousef al-Bunyan attends the Saudi-India Forum in New Delhi, India. (File photo/Reuters)

Saudi Basic Industries Corp's (SABIC) investment plans will not be affected by oil giant, said SABIC Vice Chairman and CEO Yousef al-Bunyan.

Aramco's purchase of a 70 percent stake in the company would look to integrate assets with Aramco to boost growth, Bunyan told Reuters Friday.

Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil producer, agreed on Wednesday to buy the stake in SABIC from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) for USD69.1 billion in one of the biggest deals in the global chemical industry.

The deal will take six to 12 months to complete, and there won't be any layoffs, change in management or impact on SABIC's balance sheet, he told Reuters in a phone interview.

"Once the anti-trust clearance is obtained, then immediately we will put a team together to look at areas of synergies in order for us to leverage our shareholder value," he said.

Meanwhile, SABIC participated in Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2019 for the sixth time in a row, where it shed light on the need for joint development.

Chairman of SABIC Dr. Abdulaziz Saleh Aljarbou said that the old measures are no more sufficient to meet today’s needs, amid the changes in the economic scene. Therefore, regional cooperation has become more important than any other time to achieve sustainable and comprehensive growth.

Bunyan pointed out that China and Asia still represent a strategic market for SABIC amid keenness of relevant main bodies in the region to deepen joint work for the sake of achieving effective cooperation among territories.

SABIC pavilion presented details of its innovative solutions that support the circular economy, provide environmental protection and reinforce energy consumption in various sectors.



Saudia Group Signs Deal with Lilium to Purchase 100 eVTOL Jets

The deal will make Saudia Group the first aviation company in the Middle East and North Africa region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from Lilium. SPA
The deal will make Saudia Group the first aviation company in the Middle East and North Africa region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from Lilium. SPA
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Saudia Group Signs Deal with Lilium to Purchase 100 eVTOL Jets

The deal will make Saudia Group the first aviation company in the Middle East and North Africa region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from Lilium. SPA
The deal will make Saudia Group the first aviation company in the Middle East and North Africa region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from Lilium. SPA

The Saudia Group signed on Thursday a deal to purchase 100 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jets from the German company Lilium, a leading electric aircraft manufacturer and pioneer in Regional Air Mobility (RAM).

The agreement includes 50 confirmed aircraft and 50 optional aircraft.

The deal, which will make Saudia the first aviation company in the Middle East and North Africa region to purchase 100 eVTOL jets from Lilium, is an extension of the memorandum of understanding signed between the Saudia Group and the Germany-based air taxi developer in October 2022 during the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh.

According to the deal, the Saudia Group is scheduled to receive its first electric aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2026, coinciding with the launch of eVTOL aircraft flights by the Saudi Private Aviation Company.

The electric aircraft included in the deal are among the first fully eVTOL, where these aircraft can take off and land vertically, eliminating the need for traditional airports. These aircraft can cover a distance of up to 175 kilometers at a speed of up to 250 kilometers per hour, offering significant time savings for individual travelers compared to other options and accommodating six passengers.

This deal will contribute to providing more flights and reducing travel time by up to 90%, including to tourist destinations that typically require long travel times. It also offers an effective solution for transportation in congested areas, reducing traffic and saving time. Additionally, it expands the range of premium services for VIP guests, providing a seamless and luxurious travel experience, which will also enhance tourism and business in the Kingdom.

The Saudia Group's agreement with Lilium aligns with the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy. The deal will help boost the tourism, entertainment, and sports sectors, facilitate the transport of guests from around the world, and support the goal of transporting 330 million passengers and 150 million visits. Moreover, it will provide easy movement for pilgrims during the Hajj and Umrah seasons, aligning with the target of receiving 30 million Umrah performers.