Saudi Group eyes airport privatisation process, investment expansion

Saudi Arabia's Asyad Group wants to join Pakistan's upcoming airport privatisation and is assembling Saudi and overseas partners with the technical know-how the process requires. Business Recorder reported that the talks in Islamabad were between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Ghassan Ahmed Amodi, the group's chief executive, who also chairs the board of Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited. Amodi also restated that the group intends to grow its holdings in the country.

Amodi said the group sees Pakistan as a destination for patient capital and was pleased with how things have gone for it here. He added that Pakistan holds a significant place in the group's investments outside the kingdom. Wafi Energy Pakistan Limited also briefed the minister on its expanding retail presence, storage facilities and digital initiatives, along with investments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Amodi further raised interest in financial-sector opportunities and in linking Saudi and Pakistani investors for possible projects.

Aurangzeb welcomed the renewed attention from Saudi investors, citing gains in economic stability and key indicators, along with the government's focus on fiscal discipline and structural reforms. He stressed the value of Pakistan's location as a doorway to neighbouring markets and said the government would keep facilitating investors. Amodi thanked the government for its engagement and restated the group's commitment to further investment.