Almarai shareholders to vote on 10% dividend for 2021, buyback of 10 mln shares on April 12

Almarai Co.’s shareholders are set to vote on the board's recommendation to distribute a 10% cash dividend, or SAR 1 per share, for 2021, during the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) that will be held on April 12, according to a bourse filing.

Shareholders will also vote on purchasing of up to 10 million shares and allocating them within the employee share participation program (ESOP), which will be financed by the company’s own resources. In addition, they will authorize the board of directors to complete the purchase in one or several tranches over a maximum period of 12 months from the date of the EGM resolution, as well as to authorize the board of directors to determine the conditions of this program, including the allocation price for each share offered to the designated employees.

The purchased shares will be kept a maximum of 10 years from the date of EGM approval. After the lock-in period ends, the company will follow the procedures and mandatory in the relevant laws and regulations.

They will vote on a financial services contract, concluded in 2021, with a value of SAR 15 million between the company and Saudi National Bank, in which Ammar bin Abdulwahid bin Faleh Alkhudairy (independent member) has a direct interest.

Additionally, shareholders will vote on several business contracts in which company executives have indirect interests.

The e-voting on the agenda items will start on April 10 via Tadawualty services.