Apollo to Invest $1.4b in Abu Dhabi Developer Aldar

Apollo to Invest $1.4b in Abu Dhabi Developer Aldar
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Apollo to Invest $1.4b in Abu Dhabi Developer Aldar

Apollo to Invest $1.4b in Abu Dhabi Developer Aldar

Apollo Global Management (APO.N) will invest $1.4 billion in Abu Dhabi developer Aldar Properties (ALDAR.AD), including a land joint venture and an equity investment in the company's real estate unit, the pair said on Monday.

The commitment will be made by Apollo managed funds and clients and include a $500 million investment in a land joint venture and a $100 million common equity investment in Aldar's real estate investment unit, the companies said, Reuters reported.

New York-based Apollo would also invest $800 million in the unit, Aldar Investment Properties, through perpetual subordinated notes and mandatory convertible preferred equity, they said.

The land acquired in the joint venture from Aldar's landbank could later be developed or sold. Apollo will hold a minority stake in the real estate investment unit through the common equity investment,

"Aldar’s ability to attract a long-term partner such as Apollo, underscores the strength of Aldar’s business franchise," Aldar Chief Executive Talal Al Dhiyebi said.

Apollo Chief Executive Marc Rowan said Apollo was "pleased" to serve as a long-term capital partner to Aldar.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter. The cash proceeds would be used to fund Aldar's growth plans.

Aldar last week said it planned to spend nearly $1.4 billion of existing capital this year acquiring recurring revenue generating assets such as commercial and residential property.



GASTAT: Saudi Women's Participation in Labor Force Reaches 36.2%

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) logo
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) logo
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GASTAT: Saudi Women's Participation in Labor Force Reaches 36.2%

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) logo
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) logo

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) said Tuesday that the unemployment rate among Saudis in Q3 of 2024 was 7.8%, an increase of 0.7 percentage points over Q2 of this same year, and a year-on-year decrease of 1 percentage point from Q3 2023.

The Labor Market Bulletin for the third quarter of 2024 also shows that the Saudi and non-Saudi labor force stood at 66.6%, a 0.4 percentage point increase over Q2 of 2024.
Among Saudis, the labor force grew by 0.7 percentage points, to reach 51.5%, marking a year-on-year increase of 0.7 percentage points. The employment-to-population ratio among Saudis went up by 0.2 percentage points, reaching 47.4%, or an annual growth of 1.1 percentage points.
The bulletin also highlighted the growth of Saudi women's participation in the labor force, which increased by 0.8 percentage points, to 36.2%, in the mentioned period.
The employment-to-population ratio among Saudi women rose by 0.5 percentage points, reaching 31.3%. Among Saudi women aged 15–24, participation in the labor force increased by 1 percentage point, to 18%, while the employment-to-population ratio among this age group rose by 0.6 percentage points, to 13.6%, in Q3 of 2024.
Participation in the labor force among young Saudi men increased by 1.1 percentage points, to 34.6%.
Among Saudi men in general, participation in the labor force increased by 0.6 percentage points, to 66.9%, and the employment-to-population ratio reached 63.7%.
Among Saudi men and women in the prime working-age group (25–54 years), participation in the labor force rose by 0.7 percentage points, to 69.4%, and the employment-to-population ratio increased by 0.3 percentage points, to 64.8%.