Dammam: The Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP), a multilateral development bank established in 1975 by the 10 member states of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), is pleased to report a strong performance in the first half of 2016. Total profit for the 6 months ended 30 June 2016 was US$55.1 million, which was only marginally lower than the first half of 2015 (US$56.5 million). This was achieved despite challenging market conditions resulting from the fall in oil prices.
As a further indication of the company’s financial strength, Moody’s Investors Service has recently affirmed APICORP’s foreign currency issuer rating at “Aa3” with a “Stable” outlook. In maintaining its rating status, Moody’s cited the increase of APICORP’s callable capital in 2016 from US$500 million to US$1 billion. Moody’s also noted the improvement of the Company’s liquidity profile, with liquid assets significantly higher than liabilities. Other factors underpinning APICORP’s credit rating were a strong capital adequacy position, moderate balance sheet gearing, conservative provisioning for non-performing assets and the company’s sources of funding becoming more diverse and enjoying longer maturity profiles.
Since the commencement of the second half of the year, APICORP has been very active, working on a broad range of financing and investment opportunities. Three transactions have already been announced: in July, the Company launched a landmark shipping fund with the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri), which will invest up to US$1.5 billion in 15 Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs). In October, APICORP issued a US$300 million Formosa bond in the Taiwanese market; and, most recently, the Company arranged a 3-year US$100 million Murabaha Financing Facility for Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC).
Dr. Raed Al Rayes, Deputy CEO & General Manager of APICORP, commented: “APICORP has continued to perform strongly, delivering value for its shareholders, achieving healthy levels of profitability and fulfilling its mandate to promote cooperation and economic integration in the Arab hydrocarbon and petrochemical industry.
“We remain financially strong, as demonstrated by the maintaining of our Moody’s Aa3 rating. I am especially pleased by this, as it is a result of the risk appetite framework which the Board has put in place to instill a culture of risk awareness throughout the organization. The fact that this has been achieved in a more challenging market than previously is all the more creditable.”
About APICORP:
The Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP) is a multilateral development bank established to foster the development of the Arab world’s oil and gas industries. The organization was created under the terms of an agreement signed by the 10 Member States of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) in September 1974. APICORP’s vision is to transform the Arab energy industry into a powerful force for the region’s economic progress. Driven by this vision, APICORP seeks to make equity investments and provide project loans, trade finance, advisory and research to the energy industry.
APICORP is one of the five organizations established by OAPEC to promote cooperation and economic integration in the Arab hydrocarbon and petrochemical industry. Since its founding, APICORP has made significant contributions to the evolution of the region’s energy industry. It has made equity investments in 22 oil and gas joint venture projects worth over $13 billion and participated in direct and syndicated energy finance transactions worth over US$126 billion. APICORP‘s aggregate commitments in these transactions, including both in equity and debt, are valued in excess of US$11 billion. Apart from this, it has provided advisory and treasury services related to financing and project development; and published highly regarded macro-economic research. These areas continue to define APICORP in today’s marketplace.
APICORP is independent in its functioning and carries out its operations on a commercial basis. The Corporation’s headquarters are located in Dammam, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. APICORP also operates a Banking Branch in Manama, Bahrain. The company is rated Aa3 stable by Moody’s
