Saudi Arabia Completes Regulatory Preparations for Rollout of EV Charging Stations

Saudi Arabia expands the range of electric vehicles to support the strategy to reduce emissions and protect the environment (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia expands the range of electric vehicles to support the strategy to reduce emissions and protect the environment (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Completes Regulatory Preparations for Rollout of EV Charging Stations

Saudi Arabia expands the range of electric vehicles to support the strategy to reduce emissions and protect the environment (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia expands the range of electric vehicles to support the strategy to reduce emissions and protect the environment (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy, in cooperation with the concerned government agencies and in integration with the private sector, launched on Sunday the regulations for the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations so as to ensure quality, efficiency and protection of users and facilities across the Kingdom.

Experts confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the private sector is at a new stage whereby it could enter a qualitative sector and engage in an activity that generates profits for companies and institutions.

According to experts, the private sector would do so in return for achieving the Kingdom’s national goals aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions and improving air quality.

Last May, Lucid Group announced that it has signed a contract with several Saudi Arabian government agencies that locks in plans for a production facility.

The company aims to produce 155,000 cars annually with investments exceeding 12.3 billion riyals ($3.2 billion) after completing its factory in Industrial Valley in King Abdullah Economic City.

The infrastructure team for EV charging stations, led by the Ministry of Energy, announced that it has completed all the legislative, organizational and technical aspects to regulate the EV charging market in the Kingdom, by outlining the necessary regulations for the installation of charging stations and their equipment.

“The completion of the regulation of the EV market in Saudi Arabia opens a wide field for the private sector to enter into a new activity that generates profits for companies and institutions operating in the Kingdom,” Adel Al-Omair, Chairman of the Renewable Energy Committee in the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce, told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Al-Omair said that the move helps the Kingdom in maximizing its role in promoting public sustainability.

“The Kingdom is leading the region and the world towards renewable energy technologies and reducing emissions,” affirmed Al-Omair.

It is noteworthy that the new regulations contribute to achieving the goals of Vision 2030, as they will help the Kingdom to have a diversified and sustainable economy through enhancing productivity and raising private-sector involvement.

The new regulations would contribute to achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, as they will help the Kingdom to have a diversified and sustainable economy through enhancing productivity; raising private-sector involvement; and building new future-proof sectors, which will provide quality jobs for male and female citizens, in addition to enabling vehicle owners to charge cars easily with a guarantee of quality and efficiency.



Oman's Asyad Group Plans to Sell at Least 20% of Shipping Unit Via IPO

Asyad Group plans to sell shares in its shipping subsidiary through an initial public offering. Photo: Oman News Agency
Asyad Group plans to sell shares in its shipping subsidiary through an initial public offering. Photo: Oman News Agency
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Oman's Asyad Group Plans to Sell at Least 20% of Shipping Unit Via IPO

Asyad Group plans to sell shares in its shipping subsidiary through an initial public offering. Photo: Oman News Agency
Asyad Group plans to sell shares in its shipping subsidiary through an initial public offering. Photo: Oman News Agency

Oman's state-owned logistics firm Asyad Group plans to sell shares in its shipping subsidiary through an initial public offering, it said on Wednesday, as part of the country's privatization drive.

The group, owned by Oman's sovereign wealth fund, plans to sell a stake of at least 20% in Asyad Shipping Co and float it on the Muscat stock exchange, it said in document detailing its intention to float.

"The intended listing would provide investors with the opportunity to invest in one of the world's largest diversified maritime shipping companies and a key player in the Omani economy," the company said.

Asyad Shipping focuses on transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil and other products. It lists energy firms BP and Shell as well as trading firm Trafigura among its customers and partners.

The offering will be made in two tranches, with 75% made to eligible investors in Oman and qualified institutional and other foreign investors. Of the 75% tranche, 30% of shares have been earmarked for anchor investors, the firm said.

The remaining 25% will be sold to retail investors in Oman.

The subscription period is expected to start next month, after the company has received regulatory approval.

Asyad Shipping plans to pay dividends semi-annually, beginning in September 2025 for the first six months of this year.

Oman Investment Bank, EFG Hermes, JP Morgan and Jefferies are acting as joint global coordinators. Sohar International is acting as joint global coordinator and as issue manager.
Credit Agricole and Societe Generale are joint bookrunners.