Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) announced plans to proceed with an initial public offering (IPO) and to list a portion of its ordinary shares for trading on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM).
In a press conference on Monday, Empower said that one billion (1,000,000,000) Shares, each with a nominal value of AED0.10 will be made available in the Offering, representing 10% of Empower's total existing share capital.
It said all shares to be offered represent the sale of existing shares held in aggregate by DEWA and Emirates Power (an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Holding) (together the "Selling Shareholders"), with DEWA selling 7% and Emirates Power selling 3% in the Offering, state news agency WAM reported.
The corporation affirmed that the Selling Shareholders reserve the right to amend the size of the Offering (in whole and/or individual tranches) at any time before the end of the subscription period of the Second Tranche, subject to applicable laws and approval by the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA).
The subscription period will open on 31st October 2022 and is expected to close on 7th November 2022 for the UAE Retail Investors and on 8th November 2022 for Qualified Investors.
The Internal Sharia Supervision Committee of Emirates NBD Bank has issued a pronouncement confirming that, in its view, the Offering is compliant with Shariah principles.
Following the Offering, the Company intends to adopt a semi-annual dividend distribution policy and to pay dividends twice each fiscal year after the Offering in April and October of each year.
The Group expects to pay a minimum dividend amount of AED850 million per annum, in the first two fiscal years following the Offering (April 2023 to October 2024). The Company expects to distribute its first dividend payment of a minimum of AED425 million after the Offering, for the second half of 2022, by April 2023. After the October 2024 distribution, the Company expects to pay a sustainable dividend in line with the growth of the business.
