Page 15 - SAMENA Trends - August 2019

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Omantel Profit Up 25% on the Back of Strong

Zain Group Performance

Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel), the Sultanate’s
incumbent telecoms operator, has announced its unaudited
financial results for the first half of 2019, including the effect of
fully-consolidated Zain Group results. Omantel has posted group
revenue of OMR1.26 billion (USD3.3 billion) for H1 2019, compared
to OMR914.2 million a year earlier, mainly due to the consolidation
of Zain’s revenue, while turnover from domestic operations fell 7%
year-on-year to OMR259.8 million. Group EBITDA rose by 72%
to OMR539.5 million in the first six months of 2019, while net
profit grew 25% from OMR101.0 million in H1 2018 to OMR126.5
million a year later, thanks to strong performance in key markets
of Zain Group, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Domestic
profit declined 9% year-on-year to OMR39.2 million, mainly due
to a fall in mobile pre-paid revenues despite an increase in data
consumption. ‘We are delighted with these results which clearly
reflect the importance and success of our strategic investment
in Zain Group that serves around 50 million customers in the
region,’ commented CEO Talal Said Al Mamari, adding: ‘Zain witnessed in the domestic operations but rather to grow our
Group performance has enabled us not only to offset the decline revenues and net profits to new record levels.’

Omantel Renews Deal with OFA

expressed his ‘delight on the renewal of
deal’ and said, “Omantel has been the
longest-standing partner with the OFA
and we are very happy that they have
decided to continue to support the game
and the youth of the sultanate.” Mamari
said, “For everyone in Oman, football
is a real passion, a local and global
sport that is followed by the young and
old alike. “Omantel works closely with
our community to make a meaningful
difference to the future development of
the nation. Therefore, we are very pleased
to announce the renewal of sponsorship
contract for the Omantel League for the
coming three years.” He added, “It gives us
great pleasure to nurture and support the
development of football in Oman and we
hope that all the fans will enjoy a strong
Omantel, Oman’s largest telecom service The deal was signed at the Omantel performance by the participating clubs.”
provider, has renewed its long-standing headquarters by the Omantel CEO, Sheikh The new domestic season will start with the
bond with the Oman Football Association Talal al Mamari, and the OFA Chairman, Super Cup match between Sur Club (HM’s
(OFA) as it inked its title sponsorship Sheikh Salim al Wahaibi, in the presence of Cup champion) and Dhofar Club (Omantel
agreement for the top-flight league, top officials from both sides. Omantel has League champion) on September 13. The
popularly known as Omantel League, for been the title sponsor of the sultanate’s Omantel League will start on September
the next three seasons. The agreement, premier football competition since 2008 14 and conclude on April 10 while the HM’s
starting with the forthcoming 2019-20 and the league features the top 14 clubs. Cup will kick-off on September 30.
season, will be up until the 2021-22. Speaking on the occasion, the OFA chief

15 AUGUST 2019