The Binladin International Holding Group, one of the Middle East’s biggest construction companies, is witnessing remarkable progress in its debt restructuring plans as reports revealed that Saudi banks acquired nearly 80% of the company’s debt.
Binladin’s CEO Khalid al-Gwaiz, in an interview with Al Arabiya TV channel, revealed that the company’s debt was not far from 33 billion riyals ($8.8 billion) and added that the ongoing restructuring process with lenders is the biggest in the Middle East.
Last week, the construction company held a virtual meeting with lenders to discuss a restructuring proposal approved by the company’s board that it said would align “stakeholder incentives to support the company.”
Gwaiz said lenders have indicated preliminary approval for the plan, according to the Al Arabiya report. He also said a formal initial agreement is expected in June, before details are finalized and documented by September or the fourth quarter.
Binladin, according to Gwaiz, has identified opportunities in the construction market in the Kingdom amounting to one trillion riyals by 2025.
These opportunities are mainly linked to government projects.
Binladin’s share of those mega projects will contribute to payback creditors, Gwaiz confirmed.
“Restructuring is vital for developing Binladin’s capacity for taking on mega projects,” Saudi economist Abdullah al-Malghouth told Asharq Al-Awsat.
He added that Binladin’s strategy goes to show that Saudi companies have begun to move in the right direction in terms of drafting organized, transparent and reliable strategies.
The kingdom’s laws aim to resolve any obstacle that could hinder the work of companies, Saudi legal consultant Faisal al-Khriji told Asharq Al-Awsat, adding the restructuring of debt is supported by Saudi regulations.
Last month, Binladin said it will offer creditors “several options to enhance their recoveries” by taking part in new company projects.
It said the plan would give the company a platform to grow, raise cash, fund new projects and launch a turnaround.
