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Saudi-based Wafi Energy signs deal to take over Shell Pakistan

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  • Sale is expected to be completed by fourth quarter of 2024.
  • Shell brand will remain in Pakistan via brand licensing agreements.
  • WAFI Energy is a fast-growing retail gas station network.

Shell Petroleum Company Limited, a subsidiary of Shell plc (Shell), has agreed to sell its 77.42% majority interest in Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL) to Saudi Arabia-based Wafi Energy LLC, said an official statement issued by the company on Wednesday.

“The sale is part of Shell’s strategy to high-grade its mobility network and was first announced on Capital Markets Day in June 2023,” the statement added.

The sale is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024, subject to regulatory approvals.

Upon completion, the Shell brand will remain in Pakistan through brand licensing agreements and customers will continue to have access to Shell’s premium fuel and lubricant portfolio, it said.

“SPL remains committed to delivering safe, reliable operations.”

WAFI Energy LLC, one of the leading fuel station companies in Saudi Arabia, is a fast-growing retail gas station network and the sole licensee of Shell Retail Network in Saudi Arabia.

The company was incorporated in 2012 with an authorised and paid-up capital of 3 million Saudi Riyal.

The development came after Shell Pakistan’s parent company, Shell Petroleum Company Limited (SPCo), notified its intent to sell its shareholding in the Pakistani entity in June this year.

SPCo had a 77.42% stake in Shell Pakistan as of December 31, 2022, according to the annual report for that year.

Shell Pakistan said at the time that the divestment plan would have no impact on its current business operations, which would continue as usual. The company also said that it was seeing strong interest from international buyers.

Shell Pakistan is one of the leading oil marketing companies in Pakistan, with a network of over 800 retail outlets across the country. The company reported a profit after tax of Rs6,450 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to Rs2,864 million in the same period last year.

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In interbank trade, the Pakistani rupee beats the US dollar.

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In the international exchange market, the US dollar has continued to weaken in relation to the Pakistani rupee.

The dollar fell to Rs278.10 from Rs278.17 at the beginning of interbank trading, according to currency dealers, a seven paisa loss.

In the meantime, there was a lot of turbulence in the stock market, but it recovered and moved into the positive zone. The KSE-100 index recovered momentum and reached 116,000 points after soaring 1,300 points.

Both currency and stock market swings, according to analysts, are a reflection of ongoing market adjustments and economic uncertainty.

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Phase II of CPEC: China-Pakistan Partnership Enters a New Era

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The cornerstone of economic cooperation between the two brothers and all-weather friends is still the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the initiative’s flagship project.

In contrast to reports of a slowdown, recent events indicate a renewed vigour and strategic emphasis on pushing the second phase of CPEC, known as CPEC Phase-2, according to the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives.

According to the statement, this crucial stage seeks to reshape the foundation of bilateral ties via increased cooperation, cutting-edge technology transfer, and revolutionary socioeconomic initiatives.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal is leading Pakistan’s participation in a number of high-profile gatherings in China, such as the 3rd Forum on China-Indian Ocean Region Development Cooperation in Kunming and the High-Level Seminar on CPEC-2 in Beijing.

His involvement demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to reviving CPEC, resolving outstanding concerns, and developing a strong phase-2 roadmap that considers both countries’ long-term prosperity.

At the core of these interactions is China’s steadfast determination to turn CPEC into a strategic alliance that promotes development, progress, and connectivity.

Instead of being marginalised, CPEC is developing into a multifaceted framework with five main thematic corridors: the Opening-Up/Regional Connectivity Corridor, the Innovation Corridor, the Green Corridor, the Growth Corridor, and the Livelihood-Enhancing Corridor.

With the help of projects like these, the two countries will fortify their partnership, and CPEC phase-2 will become a model of global economic integration and collaboration that benefits not just China and Pakistan but the entire region.

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The inflation rate in Pakistan dropped to its lowest level.

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On December 2, core inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) significantly slowed, falling to 4.9% in November 2024 from 7.2 percent in October 2024.

The CPI-based inflation rate for the same month last year (November 2023) was 29.2%, according to PBS data.

Compared to a 1.2% gain in the prior month, it increased by 0.5% month over month in November 2024.

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