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Find out moreWelcome to the Saudi Arabia focus edition of Law Update.
One of the key markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) that continues to lead from the front is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). As the largest country in the Middle East and the 18th largest economy in the world, the progress KSA continues to make is underpinned by its Vision 2030 that envisions developing the country as an investment powerhouse and hub that ultimately connects Asia, Europe, and Africa. Given Saudi Arabia’s significance to the regional economy, our team of experts have prepared a range of pertinent articles that provide insights into new laws, regulations, and the legal landscape in the Kingdom.
This edition will provide you with an up-to-date guide on matters such as; the framework issued by the Saudi Central Bank on IT governance, the anti-corruption landscape under Vision 2030; we also provide practical tips for dispute avoidance. This is only a snapshot; there are many more articles within the KSA focus section for you to read, which we hope you will find valuable and enjoyable.
Read the editionAbdelrahman Sherif - Senior Associate - Corporate / Mergers and Acquisitions / Commercial / Capital Markets
As part of its efforts to streamline governance requirements and enhance the use of technology in securities markets, the United Arab Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority (‘SCA’) has issued Resolution No. (03/RM) of 2019 amending Resolution No. (7/RM) of 2016 concerning Standards of Institutional Discipline and Governance in Public Joint Stock Companies (‘PJSC Governance Rules’).
The new amendments to the PJSC Governance Rules include:
In order for a PJSC to avail itself of the use of electronic media to disseminate general meeting notices, its articles of association must already allow for this or be amended accordingly.
In order to implement e-voting, each market regulated by the SCA is required to adopt its own e-voting mechanism. We understand that the relevant markets intend to employ blockchain technology to apply these mechanisms: the DFM already offers the “ivestor card” that can be used by investors to collect dividends. We also understand that the DFM is likely to also allow investors to use the ivestor card for e-voting.
The possibility for shareholders to be invited to general meetings via text messages or emails would reduce the cost of using physical mail (especially for PJSCs with large numbers of shareholders) and would ensure that notices would reach a higher number of shareholders (particularly those who might have changed their residential address without updating the PJSC). Please note that PJSCs would still be required to publish the invitation in two local newspapers.
Investors have been eagerly awaiting the ability to vote electronically. It encourages companies to use general meetings for decision-making, saves travel expenses, especially for those holding minority stakes, and improves minority rights by allowing more minority shareholders to register attendance and vote in meetings that, under the previous requirement of physical attendance, they would have most likely decided not to attend. E-voting further increases the chances of fulfilling the required quorum for the first meeting, and so potentially allowing PJSCs to save the expenses required to hold a second adjourned meeting.
The general assembly presents an excellent opportunity for PJSCs to engage with their shareholders and stakeholders and electronic communication and e-voting helps to assist this pillar of good corporate governance.
To benefit from these new rules, the PJSC Governance Rules require PJSCs:
If you are a PJSC looking to benefit from the new rules, Al Tamimi & Company’s Equity Capital Markets Team can assist you in:
Al Tamimi & Company’s Equity Capital Markets team regularly advises on legal and regulatory matters pertaining equity markets and products. For further information please contact Abdelrahman Sherif (a.sherif@tamimi.com)
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