Morocco’s Bank Profits Exceeded $1.1 Bn by End of September

Man carrying Moroccan dirhams and US dollars (File photo: Reuters)
Man carrying Moroccan dirhams and US dollars (File photo: Reuters)
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Morocco’s Bank Profits Exceeded $1.1 Bn by End of September

Man carrying Moroccan dirhams and US dollars (File photo: Reuters)
Man carrying Moroccan dirhams and US dollars (File photo: Reuters)

The profits of eight main Moroccan banks reached $1.1 billion at the end of September, a 0.96 percent increase compared to the same period last year, while the total net banking income increased 6.6 percent to reach $5.62 billion, according to financial data released by Moroccan banks for the third quarter of 2019.

The performance of the eight banks had uneven profit growth during this period. The net profits of the Moroccan Bank of Foreign Commerce (BMCE) decreased 16.7 percent, and CIH Bank S.A. dropped 28.6 percent.

The net profits of the rest of the banks varied between 2.17 percent for the Morocco Bank of Commerce and Industry (BMCI), and 29.41 percent for Credit Agricole Group of Morocco.

Meanwhile, the profits of the two largest Moroccan banks, Attijariwafa bank and Banque Populaire of Morocco (GBP), both increased 4.76 percent, while those of Societe Generale grew 6.27 percent.

During this period, the banks strengthened their capital in the context of the gradual implementation of the new precautionary measures for the banking sector.

The capital of the eight Moroccan banks at the end of September was $16.7 billion, an increase of 6.33 percent compared to the same period last year.

The capital of the Banque Populaire of Morocco saw the largest increase with about 9.95 percent, and BMCE’s capital rose during this period about 8.4 percent. As for CIH Bank S.A, its capital rose 7.03 percent, preceding Credit Agricole Group of Morocco which had a 6.27 percent growth. Attijariwafa bank and Banque Populaire of Morocco (GBP) came in last with 5.77 percent and 4.02 percent respectively.



PIF Launches Al Waha, First Saudi-Owned Duty-Free Retailer

PIF Launches Al Waha, First Saudi-Owned Duty-Free Retailer
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PIF Launches Al Waha, First Saudi-Owned Duty-Free Retailer

PIF Launches Al Waha, First Saudi-Owned Duty-Free Retailer

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced on Monday the establishment of Al Waha Duty-Free Company (Al Waha), a travel retailer and the first Saudi-owned duty-free operator.

Al Waha, a wholly owned PIF company, will become a leader in travel retail and secure a greater share of passenger spending for the Saudi economy, said PIF in a statement.

Al Waha will develop luxury retail outlets in select locations across the Kingdom and feature a variety of merchandise including unique, high-quality Saudi products. The company will operate its airport outlets on a duty-free basis, and will explore additional travel retail opportunities at land border crossings and seaports, as well as channels such as inflight shopping.

Head of Consumer Goods and Retail in MENA Investments at PIF Majed Al-Assaf said: “By establishing Al Waha as a national travel retail champion, PIF intends to grow the Saudi travel retail industry and further support its ambitions for the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia.”

“Al Waha will offer a distinctive traveler experience across Saudi travel retail touch points through diverse product offerings, a duty-free operation and a superior digital customer journey,” he added.

There is considerable potential for Saudi Arabia to gain a larger share of travel retail spending in the future, and the continued increase in visitors coming to the country - as well as global events being hosted locally - offer new opportunities to generate sustainable travel retail revenues, he remarked.

PIF is unlocking the capabilities of strategic sectors to diversify the Saudi economy, stressed the statement.