Mumtalakat’s assets rise to $15.4bn

MANAMA: Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat) yesterday announced a rise in its consolidated total assets reaching BD5.8 billion ($15.4bn) in 2017, marking an increase of 46.4 per cent compared with 2016.

The rise in value was due to value gains from Mumtalakat portfolio companies including the consolidation of McLaren and Alba’s Line 6 project, a statement said.

Deputy Prime Minister amd Mumtalakat hairman Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said: “Last year was notable for Mumtalakat as we witnessed substantial growth in the Group. Our strong investment mandate and results support the growth of the local economy from further economic diversification to job creation. Our impact in Bahrain can be evidenced in the continued financial commitment to the growth of our local companies.”

Mumtalakat’s support to the national economy continued as the company committed BD33 million ($88m) throughout the year to legacy assets including Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain Real Estate Investment (Edamah) and Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (Asry).

Mumtalakat also generated BD583m ($1.6bn) last year in capital expenditure compared with BD247m ($657m) in 2016 while expenditure on employee salaries and benefits increased by 11pc in comparison with the previous year for its key Bahrain-based companies.

Chief executive Mahmood Al Kooheji added: “We reported net profits for the fifth consecutive year, reflecting the success of our investment model as we continue to invest in and for Bahrain while managing our portfolio with a commercial mindset.

“In addition, we committed BD104m ($277m) to new investments in 2017. This included acquisitions with a co-investment partner. In total, since inception of the fund in 2006, BD807m ($2.1bn) has been invested in Bahrain, ranging from growth capital for legacy and strategic assets to the establishment of 11 new companies and ventures.”

Alba’s revenues increased by 28pc to BD857.8m ($2.3bn) in comparison with BD669.8m ($1.8bn) the previous year. Alba’s net profit grew by 91pc in 2017 to reach BD92.5m ($246m) compared with BD48.4m ($129m) in 2016. The increase was due mainly to higher aluminium prices.

Mumtalakat’s share of profit from the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) increased from BD25.1m ($67m) in 2016 to BD26.3m ($70m) in 2017.

The fair value gain resulting from the consolidation of the McLaren Group was BD250.8m ($667m).

Mumtalakat recognised impairment losses of BD105.5m ($281m) during the year 2017 compared with BD33.5m ($89m) in the prior year. The share of profits from Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) declined due to impairment losses on some of its overseas investments.

Net profits reached BD210.6m ($560m) during the year in comparison with BD68.9m ($183m) in 2016.

Alba’s BD1.2bn ($3bn) Line 6 expansion project commenced construction in the second quarter of 2017. The project will create over 500 direct jobs in Alba in addition to thousands of indirect jobs in Bahrain, boosting the downstream cluster in the kingdom. The Line 6 Expansion Project will bring Alba’s total production capacity to 1.5m tonnes per year making it the world’s largest single-site aluminium smelter.

Bahrain Real Estate Investment (Edamah) commenced reclamation and building work on Saada West, a mixed use waterfront development in Muharraq.

Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill (Garmco) produced its first aluminium in its remelt expansion project in August 2017. The new BD20.6m ($55m) metal recycling and cast house facility will increase Garmco’s production facility by 150pc. As part of this expansion, 50 new jobs will be added to Garmco’s workforce.

Mueller Middle East, the first copper tube manufacturing facility in Bahrain, in which Mumtalakat holds a 30pc stake, began construction in 2017. The facility’s commercial copper tubes will serve regional air conditioning and refrigeration equipment manufacturers. It will further enhance Bahrain’s manufacturing exports, which currently accounts for 20pc of the kingdom’s GDP, creating approximately 200 jobs.

Mumtalakat established two new companies in Bahrain, in the testing and verification of gemstones as well as introducing a new auction business, contributing to economic growth and local workforce training and qualification. These are Mazad and DANAT, the Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones.

Mumtalakat was created in 2006 with a mandate to grow the government’s strategic non-oil and gas assets through a commercial focus. Since then, Mumtalakat has further developed and diversified its portfolio both locally and globally with an objective to generate sustainable financial and economic returns for the country. The sovereign wealth fund’s assets have grown and almost doubled from 29 to over 60 local and international companies across 11 sectors, of which 65pc are in Bahrain and the region, 27pc are located in Europe and 8pc are based in the US today. With total consolidated assets of $15.4bn, Mumtalakat plays an important role in the national economy through its strategic assets while seeking commercially viable investment opportunities in growth sectors. Mumtalakat provides approximately 14,000 direct job opportunities in Bahrain within its local portfolio companies.