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16 May 2017
DUBAI, May 16 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has said it aims to raise around $200 billion in the next several years through privatisation programmes in 16 sectors ranging from oil to healthcare, education, airports and grain milling.
Following is a list of major privatisation plans currently underway.
SAUDI ARAMCO. The government has said it plans to sell close to 5 percent of the national oil giant next year through an initial public offer, with the shares to be listed in Riyadh and at least one foreign exchange. Officials have said the sale will value Aramco at $2 trillion or more, though some private analysts have suggested a lower range, perhaps $1-1.5 trillion.
SAUDI POSTAL CORP. In February, Riyadh invited banks to pitch for an advisory role in the sale of the government-owned postal service, sources said.
SAUDI GRAINS ORGANISATION. State-owned Saudi Grains Organisation, which handles the kingdom's grains purchases, is preparing to sell off its milling operations by placing them in four specially formed corporate entities while retaining other functions. A partnership of U.S. agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland Co and Saudi foods group Almarai is among potential bidders, sources said in March.
SOCCER CLUBS. Saudi Arabian investment bank Jadwa Investment was appointed to advise on the privatisation of as many as five soccer clubs in the Saudi Professional League, sources told Reuters in February.
SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES. State-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines has started the sale of its medical services business in Jeddah, valued at around $500 million, sources said this month.
HEALTHCARE. Among the first assets to be privatised will be one of Saudi Arabia's top hospitals, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, an official said. The process is in a "very advanced stage", Vice Minister for Economy and Planning Mohammed al-Tuwaijri told Reuters last month.
Also, the Ministry of Health has received at least six bids to act as financial adviser for the privatisation of 55 primary healthcare centres in Riyadh, sources said.
EDUCATION. Saudi Arabia hired HSBC as financial adviser to privatise construction and management of school buildings, the chief executive of Tatweer Buildings Co, a state firm affiliated with the Ministry of Education, said in January.
SAUDI ELECTRICITY CO. Riyadh plans to split state-controlled utility Saudi Electricity Co into separate companies that would be offered either to local citizens through IPOs or to local or international corporate partners. Riyadh-based ACWA Power chief executive Paddy Padmanathan told Reuters in March he expects the first of four power generation companies owned by Saudi Electricity will be offered by year-end.
SALINE WATER CONVERSION CORP. Officials last year outlined plans to privatise Saline Water Conversion Corp, which desalinates water and produces electricity. It would be transformed into a joint-stock holding company served by local production units; investment partners for the units would then be sought, followed by an IPO for the holding company.
SADARA CHEMICAL. Saudi Aramco plans to cut its stake in Sadara Chemical Co <IPO-SACH.SE>, a joint venture with Dow Chemical, to 35 percent from 65 percent via an IPO, Sadara chief executive Ziad al-Labban said this month, without giving a timeline. (Compiled by Gulf team; Editing by Andrew Torchia and Anna Willard)
DUBAI, May 16 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has said it aims to raise around $200 billion in the next several years through privatisation programmes in 16 sectors ranging from oil to healthcare, education, airports and grain milling.
Following is a list of major privatisation plans currently underway.
SAUDI ARAMCO. The government has said it plans to sell close to 5 percent of the national oil giant next year through an initial public offer, with the shares to be listed in Riyadh and at least one foreign exchange. Officials have said the sale will value Aramco at $2 trillion or more, though some private analysts have suggested a lower range, perhaps $1-1.5 trillion.
SAUDI POSTAL CORP. In February, Riyadh invited banks to pitch for an advisory role in the sale of the government-owned postal service, sources said.
SAUDI GRAINS ORGANISATION. State-owned Saudi Grains Organisation, which handles the kingdom's grains purchases, is preparing to sell off its milling operations by placing them in four specially formed corporate entities while retaining other functions. A partnership of U.S. agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland Co and Saudi foods group Almarai is among potential bidders, sources said in March.
SOCCER CLUBS. Saudi Arabian investment bank Jadwa Investment was appointed to advise on the privatisation of as many as five soccer clubs in the Saudi Professional League, sources told Reuters in February.
SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES. State-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines has started the sale of its medical services business in Jeddah, valued at around $500 million, sources said this month.
HEALTHCARE. Among the first assets to be privatised will be one of Saudi Arabia's top hospitals, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, an official said. The process is in a "very advanced stage", Vice Minister for Economy and Planning Mohammed al-Tuwaijri told Reuters last month.
Also, the Ministry of Health has received at least six bids to act as financial adviser for the privatisation of 55 primary healthcare centres in Riyadh, sources said.
EDUCATION. Saudi Arabia hired HSBC as financial adviser to privatise construction and management of school buildings, the chief executive of Tatweer Buildings Co, a state firm affiliated with the Ministry of Education, said in January.
SAUDI ELECTRICITY CO. Riyadh plans to split state-controlled utility Saudi Electricity Co into separate companies that would be offered either to local citizens through IPOs or to local or international corporate partners. Riyadh-based ACWA Power chief executive Paddy Padmanathan told Reuters in March he expects the first of four power generation companies owned by Saudi Electricity will be offered by year-end.
SALINE WATER CONVERSION CORP. Officials last year outlined plans to privatise Saline Water Conversion Corp, which desalinates water and produces electricity. It would be transformed into a joint-stock holding company served by local production units; investment partners for the units would then be sought, followed by an IPO for the holding company.
SADARA CHEMICAL. Saudi Aramco plans to cut its stake in Sadara Chemical Co <IPO-SACH.SE>, a joint venture with Dow Chemical, to 35 percent from 65 percent via an IPO, Sadara chief executive Ziad al-Labban said this month, without giving a timeline. (Compiled by Gulf team; Editing by Andrew Torchia and Anna Willard)
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