Saudi Aramco Holds First General Assembly after IPO

Saudi Aramco will hold its first general assembly Monday after its IPO. (Reuters file photo)
Saudi Aramco will hold its first general assembly Monday after its IPO. (Reuters file photo)
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Saudi Aramco Holds First General Assembly after IPO

Saudi Aramco will hold its first general assembly Monday after its IPO. (Reuters file photo)
Saudi Aramco will hold its first general assembly Monday after its IPO. (Reuters file photo)

Saudi Aramco, the world’s top oil exporter, will hold its first general assembly Monday after its partial initial public offering (IPO) in the Saudi market.

Aramco's board of directors issued a statement inviting its shareholders to attend its first ordinary general assembly through the Tadawulaty system.

The statement said the meeting will be held online following the directives of the Capital Market Authority (CMA), which called for the suspension of physical attendance of general assembly meetings until further notice, and urged all companies to hold such meetings remotely.

This also comes in line with the precautionary measures issued by health authorities to limit the spread of COVID-19.

In order to be able to attend the meeting and vote, Aramco encouraged all its shareholders to register via the Tadawulaty system.

The eligibility to participate in the general assembly meeting and vote electronically on its agenda will be for shareholders that are registered in Saudi Aramco’s shareholders register at the Securities Depository Center (Edaa) as of the end of the trading session on the general assembly meeting day, and as per the relevant rules and regulations, according to the statement.

The company explained that the ordinary general assembly meeting shall be valid only if it is attended by one or more shareholders representing at least one quarter of the ordinary shares, provided that the state is represented.

However, if the quorum is not satisfied, a second meeting shall be held one hour after the designated period for the first meeting has ended. The second meeting shall be valid regardless of the number of ordinary shares represented, provided that the State is represented.

The statement announced that the attendees will vote on the report for the FY 2019. It will also appoint an external auditor and determine their fees to review and audit the company’s: financial statements for Q2 and Q3 for FY 2020, annual financial statements of FY 2020, and financial statements for Q1 of FY 2021.

Electronic voting started last Thursday and will continue until the general assembly meeting is concluded.

Meanwhile, Aramco’s shares closed trading Sunday at $8.3, while Saudi shares closed at a 0.8 percent gain, a 54-point increase.



Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency

Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency
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Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency

Digital Marketing Emerges as Engine of Economic Efficiency

In an era increasingly defined by data and rapid technological transformation, digital marketing has evolved from a simple promotional tool into a core driver of economic productivity. Experts say the discipline is reshaping business models by enabling precise targeting, reducing waste, and maximizing returns.

Financial and economic advisor Dr. Hussein Al-Attas told Asharq Al-Awsat that digital marketing is now an economic necessity rather than a luxury. “Digital transformation has become a key lever for productivity and return on investment,” he said, noting that analytics and artificial intelligence are redefining the rules of competition.

According to Al-Attas, the shift from broad-based marketing to highly personalized campaigns has allowed companies to forecast demand with greater accuracy, cut unnecessary costs, and accelerate sales cycles. He emphasized that this transformation offers smaller firms a chance to compete with major players by reaching their target audiences more efficiently and experimenting in new markets without heavy infrastructure spending.

“Today, the market value of a company is measured not just by its products but by the depth and quality of its data,” Al-Attas added, predicting that AI and predictive analytics will continue to revolutionize marketing by automating content, refining targeting, and driving higher returns. He also stressed the importance of respecting data ethics to build consumer trust and long-term growth.

Economic analyst Rowan bin Rabeean echoed these views, describing digital marketing as a true driver of productivity and economic expansion. She explained that the shift to real-time analytics has fundamentally changed supply and demand dynamics, as companies no longer rely on historical estimates but react to live market signals.

Bin Rabeean said that in today’s digital economy, smaller enterprises are finding unprecedented opportunities to expand their reach and enhance competitiveness. Affordable tools such as social media campaigns and search engine optimization allow them to reach customers more effectively than traditional channels ever could.

Looking ahead, she predicted that AI-powered marketing will help businesses anticipate customer needs before they are even expressed, driving smarter, faster decisions and elevating economic efficiency overall.

Bin Rabeean concluded that in this new landscape, those who own and understand data will hold the competitive advantage. However, she emphasized the growing imperative to protect consumer privacy alongside the rise of data-driven business models.