Category: General

Second Kuwaiti plane took off Thursday to Port Sudan carrying ten tons of relief items and blankets onboard as part of air bridge supporting displaced people within Sudan, stated Kuwait Red Crescent Society.

KRCS Director General Abdulrahman Al-Oun told KUNA that this comes as per the directions of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, as a show of Kuwaiti solidarity and support to afflicted Sudanese people.

The Society is coordinating efforts with the Kuwaiti embassy in Sudan to provide urgent relief, commented Al-Oun thanking the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense for their contributions.

The first planeload took off April 23 carrying 40 tons of food and medical supplies and ambulances to Port Sudan International Airport

Source: Kuwait News Agency

The Islamic Resistance announced Thursday that it targeted yesterday afternoon the Roueissat al-Alam outpost in the occupied Kfarshouba hills.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Doha: HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani arrived Thursday morning in Doha on an official visit to the country.

His Excellency and the accompanying delegation were welcomed upon arrival at Doha International Airport by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi.

Source: Qatar News Agency

SHARJAH: The Sharjah City Municipality has confirmed it will not issue any public parking violations committed during the recent low-pressure weather system in the country.

This decision aligns with their commitment to considering general conditions and supporting the public during challenging times. The municipality aims to uphold its humanitarian and societal approach while emphasising the regulatory purpose of such measures under normal circumstances.

In response to the recent weather challenges, Obaid Saeed Al Tunaiji, Director-General of the Sharjah Municipality and Chairman of the Supreme Rain Emergency Committee, highlighted the municipality’s efforts to address the situation. They focused on improving traffic flow, ensuring safety, and providing assistance to affected individuals.

Al Tunaiji further stated that no public parking fines were issued during inclement weather, demonstrating the municipality’s commitment to aiding the public during such conditions. Additionally, the municipality will ref
rain from issuing violations in areas affected by gatherings until normalcy is restored, as these areas require ongoing efforts for clean-up and restoration.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Amman: Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (Hikma), a leading multinational pharmaceutical group, today provided a positive trading update during its Annual General Meeting, signaling a promising start to 2024 across all business sectors.

Riad Mishlawi, CEO of Hikma, expressed optimism about the company’s performance, stating, “Hikma has had a strong start to 2024, with growth and momentum sustained across the Group. Our three business segments are thriving, supported by robust commercial and operational capabilities. We are expanding our product range and manufacturing capacity, setting the stage for sustained future growth.”

Business Segment Highlights:

*Injectables*: The Injectables division has experienced a solid start, particularly in the US, where the company’s extensive portfolio and new product launches, along with high-speed filling lines, are capturing new market opportunities. Growth is also strong in Europe and MENA, bolstered by demand for biosimilars and new product introductions.

Branded: Hikma’s Br
anded segment has built on recent momentum, especially in the MENA region, where it is seeing robust demand across its oncology and chronic illness treatment portfolios. In 2023, Hikma became the second-largest pharmaceutical company in MENA by sales and continues to gain market share in key therapeutic areas.

Generics: The Generics business is also performing well, with a focus on differentiating its product portfolio and pipeline. The recent appointment of Hafrun Fridriksdottir as President of the Generics division is expected to drive further growth, leveraging her extensive experience in RandD and pipeline expansion.

Financial Outlook:

Hikma expects Group revenue to grow between 4% to 6% in 2024, with core operating profit projected between $660 million to $700 million. The Injectables segment is forecasted to grow between 6% to 8%, with a core operating margin of 36% to 37%. Branded revenue is expected to see mid- to high-single digit growth in constant currency, while Generics revenue is anticipated
to increase by 3% to 5%.

Dividend and Future Projections:

Subject to approval at today’s meeting, Hikma will distribute a final dividend of 47 cents per share, bringing the total 2023 dividend to 72 cents per share, a 29% increase from the previous year. The company plans to progressively raise its dividend, targeting a payout ratio of 30% to 40%, reflecting confidence in its long-term growth prospects.

Hikma will announce its interim results for the first half of 2024 on 8 August 2024.

Source: Jordan News Agency