HSBC is said to work on possible IPO of Saudi Arabian cargo firm
Saudi Arabian Logistics Co., spun off after more than seven decades as the cargo arm of the kingdom’s flagship airline, is working with HSBC Holdings Plc’s local unit on a potential share sale that could come as soon as this year, according to people familiar with the matter.
No final decision has been made on the timing or size of an
initial public offering but the listing would only be open to local and
qualified investors, the people said, declining to be named as the discussions
are private.
The Saudi unit of HSBC was hired late last year as a
financial adviser to help SAL, as the company is known, explore its strategic
options to raise funds, the people said. HSBC and SAL declined to comment.
Saudi Arabia is readying for an IPO boom that the chief
executive of the Riyadh stock exchange expects to generate a record number of
new listings this year. As part of its ambitious economic reforms, the kingdom
has earmarked various state assets from utilities to aviation for privatization.
SAL was launched as an independent entity at the end of 2019
and became operational shortly after, with responsibility for all ground
handling and logistics services across the country’s airports.
Saudi Arabian Airlines Corp. owns 70% of SAL shares and the
rest is held by Tarabot, according to the logistics company’s spokesman.
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