China’s Huawei set to lead global charge to 5G networks

Security cameras are seen in front of a portrait of late Chinese Chairman Mao in Beijing. Huawei is among the group’s seeking to establish market share as China becomes the world’s biggest 5G market. (Reuters)
Updated 23 February 2018
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China’s Huawei set to lead global charge to 5G networks

FRANKFURT: China’s Huawei is forging closer commercial ties with big telecom operators across Europe and Asia, putting the company in prime position to lead the global race for next-generation 5G networks despite US allegations it poses a security threat.
Huawei’s dominant position in China — set to become the world’s biggest 5G market by far — is well-documented. However it has also been making in-roads in the rest of world to compete with rivals Ericsson and Nokia in several lucrative markets, including countries that are longstanding US allies.
5G networks, now in the testing stage, will rely on denser arrays of small antennas and the cloud to offer data speeds up to 50 or 100 times faster than current 4G networks and serve as critical infrastructure for a range of industries.
Deals to start building 5G networks are still largely a year away, but Huawei has signed 25 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with telecom operators to trial 5G equipment, a Reuters review of company reports and announcements found.
These MoUs — pre-cursors to potential commercial contracts — include agreements with Britain’s BT, Bell Canada (BCE) , France’s Orange Germany’s Deutsche Telekom and global player Vodafone.
Huawei lags behind Sweden’s Ericsson, with 38 MoUs, and Finland’s Nokia, with 31, according to the data, which does not include deals that have not been made public.
However, the Chinese company’s existing partnerships with operators could give it an extra edge; as of 2016, Huawei said it had supplied more than half of the 537 4G networks globally and 59 of the 90 4.5G networks — an intermediate step before 5G.
“Existing network footprint is important because operators still need to maintain their legacy ... networks and could save money by using the same vendors,” said Stefan Pongratz, a top industry analyst with research firm Dell’Oro.
Huawei also has the home advantage: the firm and smaller, domestic-focused peer ZTE are each guaranteed about a third of China’s 5G network contracts, under Beijing’s policy, while foreign players have to compete for slivers of the market.
By 2025, 1.2 billion people worldwide are set to have access to 5G networks — a third of them in China, according to the GSMA, a global trade group of nearly 800 mobile operators.
There are however potential risks ahead; Huawei, like its rivals, has spent billions of dollars developing 5G network technology, there are no guarantees about when operators around the world will adopt the new technology.
Many cash-strapped operators want to see significant consumer and business demand before allocating capital, something out of Huawei’s control. Some emerging markets have yet to adopt 4G, putting major 5G moves at least a decade off.
Unlisted Huawei is triple the size of either Nokia and Ericsson in terms of its annual revenue, which totalled about $92 billion last year, half of it from China. It sold 32 percent of global mobile radio access gear — antennas and base stations — in the last quarter, against Ericsson’s 30 percent and Nokia’s 25 percent, according to market research firm Dell’Oro.
Ericsson has been under heavy pressure to cut costs in recent years at a time of dwindling profits, while Nokia has had to integrate multiple acquisitions in its networks business.
Nokia said it was confident its broad 5G portfolio, which also includes software and services to manage networks, would allow it to win a bigger slice of the telecoms market.
Ericsson said its longstanding ties with customers and advanced 5G patent portfolio would keep it competitive. “All our customers are looking at 5G,” a spokesman said.
Huawei’s 5G MoUs include non-binding agreements with big telecom operators in South Korea, Japan and Australia, Italy, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, on top of Britain, Germany, France and Canada.
Potential commercial benefits aside, these agreements indicate that many countries allied to the United States do not share Washington’s security concerns.
A bill introduced in the US Senate earlier this month would bar equipment from Huawei from any US government networks to prevent Chinese spying. A leaked presentation from a National Security Council staffer earlier this year suggested the US government build its own 5G network — a proposal that was widely ridiculed by industry experts.
Huawei categorically rejects US spying concerns.
“Huawei is trusted by governments and customers in 170 countries worldwide and poses no greater cyber-security risk than any (communications) vendor, sharing as we do common global supply chains and production capabilities,” a spokesman said.
Bruce Rodin, vice president of wireless networks for Bell Canada, said his company used an external cyber-security firm to conduct extensive testing of Huawei products.
“We’ve been doing it for about 10 years and never seen malicious code or backdoors,” Rodin told Reuters, characterising the US moves as an effort to protect American companies. “It’s a commercial thing. They are protecting their industry,” he said.
Deutsche Telekom said it cooperates with Huawei on many levels and found no evidence of security risks. “The hardware is built to Deutsche Telekom’s specifications and is examined by our own security department,” a spokesman said. Orange told Reuters it is cautious with Huawei “as with any supplier.”
Thomas Jarzombek, a member of the German parliament and digital spokesman for Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats, said that in the wake of revelations about US spying by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, American tech companies were not necessarily to be trusted either.
This month, a trade mission by British Prime Minister Theresa May to China included a glowing endorsement of Huawei for its commitment to Britain.
Debates over the timing of 5G deployment will top the agenda at Mobile World Congress, Europe’s biggest annual technology conference taking place next week in Barcelona. The industry is counting on the new technology to trigger a wave of growth in equipment sales and mobile services starting in 2020.


Saudi Arabia raises $3.09bn in sukuk issuances for December

Updated 24 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia raises $3.09bn in sukuk issuances for December

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Debt Management Center has successfully concluded its riyal-denominated sukuk issuance for December, raising SR11.59 billion ($3.09 billion).

This marks a substantial 239.88 percent increase from the previous month, when the Kingdom raised SR3.41 billion in sukuk. Saudi Arabia had raised SR7.83 billion in October and SR2.6 billion in September.

Sukuk, which are Shariah-compliant Islamic bonds, provide investors with partial ownership of the issuer’s assets until the bonds mature. The rise in sukuk issuance aligns with positive global market projections.

A Moody’s report released in September forecasted that the global sukuk market would remain robust in 2024, with total issuance expected to reach between $200 billion and $210 billion, an increase from just under $200 billion in 2023.

The December sukuk issuance by NDMC was structured into four tranches, each with varying maturities. The largest tranche, valued at SR5.58 billion, is set to mature in 2027. Another tranche, worth SR3.90 billion, will mature in 2029, while a third tranche, valued at SR706 million, is due for repayment in 2031. The final tranche, amounting to SR1.4 billion, will mature in 2034.

This surge in sukuk issuance comes as the Kingdom is expected to lead the Gulf Cooperation Council region in bond and sukuk maturities between 2025 and 2029.

A report by Kamco Invest, released earlier this month, projected that Saudi Arabia’s total bond and sukuk maturities during this period would reach $168 billion, with government-issued bonds and sukuk accounting for $110.2 billion of that total.

In December, Fitch Ratings also highlighted that the GCC debt capital market crossed the $1 trillion threshold in outstanding debt by the end of November.

Earlier in October, Fitch had noted that the growth in sukuk issuance was driven by improving financing conditions, especially after the US Federal Reserve’s rate cut to 5 percent in September. Looking ahead, Fitch expects interest rates to decline further, reaching 4.5 percent by the end of 2024 and 3.5 percent by the end of 2025, which is likely to spur more sukuk issuances in the short term.


Saudi, Nigerian ministers hold talks to strengthen economic relations

Updated 24 December 2024
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Saudi, Nigerian ministers hold talks to strengthen economic relations

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Nigeria held high-level talks to discuss financial and economic developments, focusing on regional and global challenges, as well as opportunities for collaboration. 

The meeting, led by the kingdom’s Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan, included a delegation from the African country headed by Finance Minister Wale Edun and Budget and Economic Planning Minister Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

The discussions aimed to strengthen economic ties and explore joint strategies to navigate evolving financial landscapes. 

This comes as trade between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia showed a significant imbalance in 2023, with Nigeria exporting goods worth $76.29 million to the Kingdom, while imports from Saudi Arabia amounted to $1.51 billion, according to the UN COMTRADE database on international trade.


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,914

Updated 24 December 2024
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 11,914

  • Parallel market dropped by 0.11% to 30,920.40
  • MSCI Tadawul Index shed 3.17 points to close at 1,496.90

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Tuesday, as it shed 34.84 points, or 0.29 percent, to close at 11,913.95. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market also dropped by 0.11 percent to 30,920.40, while the MSCI Tadawul Index shed 3.17 points to close at 1,496.90. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR3.83 billion ($1.02 billion), with 64 of the listed stocks advancing, while 168 declining. 

The best-performing stock of the day was Al-Baha Investment and Development Co., as its share price surged by 9.09 percent to SR0.48. 

Other top performers were Saudi Chemical Co., increasing 4.66 percent to SR9.66, and Shatirah House Restaurant Co., rising 4.44 percent to SR21.30. 

The share price of United Electronics Co. slipped by 6.77 percent to close at SR92.20. 

First Milling Co. announced the successful expansion of its Mill A, boosting production capacity from 300 tonnes to 550 tonnes per day. 

In a Tadawul filing, the company, which produces flour, feed, and bran, said that the financial impact of the expansion will be reflected in the fourth quarter of this year. 

The company’s share price gained 1.35 percent, closing at SR59.90. 

Banque Saudi Fransi announced that its shareholders approved a 107.4 percent capital increase, raising its capital from SR12.05 billion to SR25 billion. 

The bank said that the decision was finalized during an extraordinary general meeting held on Dec. 23. 

Banque Saudi Fransi’s share price dropped 0.62 percent to close at SR15.94. 

Meanwhile, retail investors began subscribing to 3.47 million shares of Saudi-based online beauty brand Nice One on the main market. 

The company announced on Dec. 16 that it set the final offer price for its initial public offering at SR35 per share, aiming to raise SR1.2 billion. 

The retail subscription period, which started on Dec. 24, will run through Dec. 25. 

Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority approved Ejada Systems Co.’s request to float 20.05 million shares, representing 45 percent of its share capital. 

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said that its prospectus will be published well ahead of the subscription period. 

It will provide investors with key information, including financial statements, business activities, and management details to support informed investment decisions. 

The CMA approved a request by Umm Al Qura for Development and Construction Co. to float 130.78 million shares, representing 9.09 percent of the firm’s share capital. 

The authority also approved Ratio Specialty Co. to float 5 million shares, equal to 25 percent of the company’s share capital, on the Kingdom’s parallel market. 


EBRD supports Africa’s largest onshore wind project in Egypt with $275m loan

Updated 24 December 2024
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EBRD supports Africa’s largest onshore wind project in Egypt with $275m loan

  • 1.1 GW wind farm in Egypt will reduce annual CO2 emissions by more than 2.2 million tonnes
  • Loan to Suez Wind consists of $200 million A loan from the EBRD and $75 million in B loans from Arab Bank and Standard Chartered

JEDDAH: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is supporting Egypt in launching Africa’s largest wind farm, backed by a $275 million syndicated loan.

The loan to Suez Wind consists of a $ 200 million A loan from the EBRD and $ 75 million in B loans from Arab Bank and Standard Chartered, the international financial institution said in a press release.

It added that the initiative is being co-financed by the African Development Bank, British International Investment, and Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft, as well as the OPEC Fund for International Development and the Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation.

The wind farm in the Gulf of Suez will have an installed capacity of 1.1 gigawatts, delivering clean, renewable energy at a lower cost than conventional power generation. It is expected to produce over 4,300 GWh of electricity annually and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 2.2 million tons per year, supporting Egypt’s energy sector alignment with its commitments under the Paris Agreement.

Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s minister of planning, economic development, and international cooperation, said that her country is committed to advancing its renewable energy ambitions, aiming to derive 42 percent of its energy mix from renewable sources by 2030, in line with their nationally determined contributions.

“Through our partnership with the EBRD, a key development partner within the energy sector of Egypt’s country platform for the NWFE program, we are mobilizing blended finance to attract private-sector investments in renewable energy,” said Al-Mashat, who also serves as governor of the north African country to the EBRD

The minister added: “So far, funding has been secured for projects with a capacity of 4.7 gigawatts, and we are working collaboratively to meet the program’s targets to reduce Egypt’s fuel consumption and expand clean energy projects.”

Managing Director of the EBRD’s Sustainable Infrastructure Group, Nandita Parshad, expressed pride in the bank’s role as the largest financier of the landmark 1,100-megawatt wind farm in the Gulf of Suez, which is also the largest onshore wind farm in EBRD’s operational countries to date.

“Egypt continues to be a trailblazer for large-scale renewables in Africa: first with the largest solar farm and now the largest windfarm on the continent. Great to partner on both with ACWA power and to bring new partners in this project, Hassan Allam Utilities and Meridiam,” she said.

Suez Wind is a special project company jointly owned by Saudi energy giant ACWA Power and HAU Energy, a recently established renewable energy equity platform that the EBRD is investing in alongside Hassan Allam Utilities and Meridiam Africa Investments.

The EBRD, of which Egypt is a founding member, is the principal development partner in the republic’s energy sector under the Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy program, launched at COP27. This wind farm is one of the first projects within NWFE’s energy pillar, advancing progress toward the country’s 10-gigawatt renewable energy goal.

It plays a vital role in supporting Egypt’s efforts to decarbonize its fossil fuel-dependent power sector and achieve its ambitious renewable energy targets.

Since the EBRD began operations in Egypt in 2012, the bank has invested nearly €13.3 billion in 194 projects across the country. These investments span various sectors, including finance, transport, and agribusiness, as well as manufacturing, services, and infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on power, municipal water, and wastewater projects, according to the same source.

Last month, EBRD announced it was supporting the development and sustainability of Egypt’s renewable-energy sector by extending a $21.3 million loan to Red Sea Wind Energy.

The loan was established to fund the development and construction of a 150-megawatt expansion to the 500-megawatt wind farm currently being constructed in the same region.


UAE non-oil sectors push GDP growth to 4% in 2024: CBUAE

Updated 24 December 2024
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UAE non-oil sectors push GDP growth to 4% in 2024: CBUAE

  • Growth is projected to accelerate to 4.5% in 2025 and 5.5% in 2026
  • Non-oil GDP growth is forecast to remain robust, expanding by 4.9% in 2024 and 5% in 2025

RIYADH: The UAE economy is expected to grow by 4 percent in 2024, driven by robust performance across key non-oil sectors, according to official projections. 

The Central Bank of the UAE’s Quarterly Economic Review for December indicates that growth will be supported by sectors including tourism, transportation and financial services, as well as insurance, construction, real estate, and communications. 

Looking ahead, growth is projected to accelerate to 4.5 percent in 2025 and 5.5 percent in 2026, as the country continues to benefit from economic diversification policies aimed at reducing its dependence on oil revenues. 

Non-oil GDP growth is forecast to remain robust, expanding by 4.9 percent in 2024 and 5 percent in 2025. 

The report attributed this growth to strategic government policies aimed at attracting foreign investment and promoting economic diversification. 

In the second quarter, non-oil GDP grew by 4.8 percent year on year, compared to 4.0 percent in the first quarter, supported by manufacturing, trade, transportation and storage, and real estate activities. 

In September, the CBUAE revised its GDP growth forecast for the year upward by 0.1 percentage points, citing expected improvements in the oil sector. 

Initially projecting a 3.9 percent growth for 2024, the central bank adjusted the figure to 4 percent. In its second-quarter economic report, the CBUAE forecasted a growth rate of 6 percent for 2025. 

The UAE’s 16 non-oil sectors continued their steady growth in the third quarter of the year, with wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, and construction being key contributors. 

The manufacturing sector has benefited from increased foreign direct investment, aligning with both federal and emirate-level strategies. 

The first nine months of the year also saw strong performance in the construction sector, reflecting significant investment in infrastructure and development projects. 

Non-oil trade exceeded 1.3 trillion dirhams ($353.9 billion) in the first half of the year, representing 134 percent of the country’s GDP, a 10.6 percent year-on-year increase. 

This growth underscores the success of the UAE’s economic diversification agenda and its comprehensive economic partnership agreements with various countries, which have strengthened trade relationships and driven exports.

The UAE has set ambitious economic targets to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil revenues.  

Under the We the UAE 2031 vision, the country aims to double its GDP from 1.49 trillion dirhams to 3 trillion dirhams, generate 800 billion dirhams in non-oil exports, and raise the value of foreign trade to 4 trillion dirhams.  

Additionally, the UAE plans to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to GDP to 450 billion dirhams. 

Oil production averaged 2.9 million barrels per day in the first 10 months of the year and is forecasted to grow by 1.3 percent for the year, with further acceleration to 2.9 percent in 2025.  

The fiscal sector also performed strongly in the first half of the year, with government revenue rising 6.9 percent on a yearly basis to 263.9 billion dirhams, equivalent to 26.9 percent of GDP.  

This increase was fueled by a significant 22.4 percent rise in tax revenues. Meanwhile, the fiscal surplus reached 65.7 billion dirhams, or 6.7 percent of GDP, marking a 38.8 percent increase from the 47.4 billion dirhams surplus, or 5.1 percent of GDP, recorded in the first half of 2023.  

Government capital expenditure surged by 51.7 percent year on year to 11 billion dirhams, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to advancing large-scale infrastructure projects and enhancing the country’s economic and investment landscape.

In the private sector, economic activity remained robust, with the UAE’s Purchasing Managers’ Index reaching 54.1 in October this year, signaling continued optimism among businesses driven by sustained demand and sales growth.

Dubai’s PMI stood at 53.2 in October, closely aligning with the national average, indicating consistent growth in the emirate’s non-oil private sector.

Employment and wages also showed strong performance, with the number of employees covered by the CBUAE’s Wages Protection System rising by 4 percent year-on-year in September. 

Average salaries increased by 7.2 percent yearly during the same period, reflecting strong domestic consumption and sustainable GDP growth.