10 Business Thursday, July 30, 2020 Group posts revenue of QAR 14bn and net profit of QAR 818m in H1 2020

Customer base increased by 2% to reach 117 million

DOHA: Ooredoo Q.P.S.C. (“Ooredoo”) - centers and hubs across the country. In ad- over 10,000. Ticker: ORDS yesterday announced its fi- dition, more than 200,000 customers have became the first nancial results for the half year ended 30 now signed-up for Shahry 5G and Qatarna telecommunications company in Kuwait to June 2020. 5G plans. launch an e-learning solution as it sought to • Revenue declined by 3 percent year-on- Ooredoo Qatar’s #StayHomeWithOore- support schools across the country in the year to QAR 14.1 billion due to the COVID- doo continued to provide dedicated services provision of uninterrupted education 19 impact. A reduction in handset sales and for customers working from home, while the throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. roaming business as well as macroeconomic ‘Hadaya’ campaign for Ramadan, which en- weakness in some of our markets was par- couraged customers to interact with the Asiacell - Iraq tially offset by robust growth in Indonesia, Ooredoo app, saw more than 300,000 cus- Government measures designed to limit Tunisia and Myanmar. tomers participate. Ooredoo Qatar’s popular the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic im- • EBITDA declined by 5 percent year-on- loyalty program Nojoom celebrated its 11th pacted Asiacell’s results for the half year year to QAR 6.0 billion, impacted by move- anniversary with a variety of promotions. The ended June 30, 2020. The company reported ment restrictions to contain the spread of company also launched Ooredoo Money revenues of QAR 1.9 billion in H1 2020, down COVID-19 in our markets as well as chal- sub-wallets for family members and domestic 10 percent compared to the same period last lenging market conditions in Algeria, Kuwait, staff and partnered with Netflix to bring the year. As a result, EBITDA declined to QAR Iraq and Oman. Sheikh Faisal Bin Thani Al-Thani Sheikh Saud bin Nasser Al-Thani streaming service to Ooredoo tv. 828 million (H1 2019: QAR: 970 million) dur- • Group Net Profit attributable to Oore- ing the first half of 2020. Asiacell continued doo shareholders declined by 3 percent to Ooredoo Oman to manage costs to absorb the impact of rev- QAR 818 million in H1 2020, compared to the Ooredoo Oman reported revenues of enue declines by optimising operational ef- same period last year, due to the reduction QAR1.3 billion, a reduction of 4 percent com- ficiency and controlling its marketing spend. in EBITDA which was partially offset by a pared to the first half of 2019 due to a decline Asiacell’s customer base decreased by 4 more favorable Foreign Exchange environ- in prepaid mobile and roaming revenues as percent to 13.3 million customers at the end ment compared to the same period last year. well as fewer sales due to retail outlet clo- of H1 2020, as movement restrictions and • Data revenues account for more than 50 sures (for up to 14 weeks). Free local call of- curfews were implemented across the coun- percent of total Revenue driven by our data fers were extended to the community in try. To help keep communities connected leadership and digital transformation initia- support of the national “Stay at Home” ini- during the COVID-19 pandemic, Asiacell of- tives across the countries we operate in. tiative during the period. fered its customers data bonus on recharge, • Ooredoo Group has healthy cash re- EBITDA declined 7 percent to QAR 684 doubled their quota on emergency credit and serve and liquidity levels to be able to absorb million during the first half of 2020, com- extended the validity of prepaid lines. the impact of COVID-19 for the year 2020. pared to the same period in the previous The company continued to prepare for year. Ooredoo Oman’s commitment to main- the launch of 4G as the Government commit- bottom line, despite the decline in revenues. Ooredoo’s revenues increased 6 percent, Operational highlights: taining operational efficiency enabled it to ted to allow operators to launch LTE services Consequently, Ooredoo Group reported Net driven by its refreshed strategy and Ooredoo • COVID 19 response: Ooredoo Group maintain a robust EBITDA margin of 54 per- in 2021. remained sharply focused on mitigating the Profits of QAR 818 million for the first half of Tunisia’s value creation plan supported a 6 cent for H1 2020 as the company focused on 2020, which were slightly down compared to percent rise in its revenues. Strong demand impact of COVID-19 during Q2 2020. Meas- optimizing its marketing and advertising North Africa the same period last year. The COVID-19 for data supported an 8 percent increase in ures included enhancing health and safety spend. pandemic has disrupted our world in an un- ’s revenue during the pe- and work from home initiatives for employ- The company continued to deliver inno- Ooredoo Algeria continued to be im- precedented manner and has impacted every riod. ees, continuing to provide uninterrupted vative solutions to its customer base of 2.6 pacted by challenging economic conditions, aspect of our lives. Throughout this period, Group EBITDA declined 5 percent to connectivity and services for customers, op- million customers, such as the launch of 5G intense price competition and currency de- our priorities at Ooredoo Group have been QAR 6.0 billion during H1 2020, compared timized data traffic flows across our fixed and Home Internet in the Sultanate which offers preciation as the Algerian Dinar depreciated clear: the health and safety of our employees to the same period last year, due to declining mobile networks, relief to communities that connectivity of up to 10 times faster than by 3 percent year on year. The company re- need it the most and targeted CSR cam- and customers; the continued provision of revenue and challenging market conditions in current home internet services and brings uninterrupted services to keep our cus- Algeria, Kuwait, Iraq and Oman. Across all ported revenues of QAR 1.1 billion in H1 paigns and donations. high speed internet access to new areas. 2020, down 11 percent compared to the same * Ooredoo Group enabled more people tomers connected at all times, and the em- our OpCos we remain committed to carefully Supporting education in these times of powerment of frontline workers and optimizing costs and driving operational ef- period last year. Consequently, EBITDA de- to work, study and socialize from home, with uncertainty, Ooredoo Oman partnered with clined to QAR 371 million (H1 2019: QAR 459 its customer base increasing by 2 percent to disadvantaged communities through CSR ficiencies. In our home market of Qatar, our the Ministry of Education to launch an e- activities and donations. For our customers, post-paid customer base crossed the half a million) during the first half of 2020. Ooredoo 117 million customers, boosted by additions learning platform for the academic year Algeria remains focused on optimizing its in Myanmar and Qatar during H1 2020. we provided more value with free data offers, million mark and the 5G plans launched in 2020-2021. Additionally, during H1 2020 the upgrades and bundles, free access to educa- December attracted over 200,000 cus- cost base through a more efficient marketing * Ooredoo Group continued to demon- company offered free minutes to help con- spend. strate its global leadership in 5G commercial tional and health resources online and in- tomers already. nect families and communities during the creased convenience with access to fully In Kuwait and Oman, we have partnered Ooredoo Algeria launched ‘Dima Oore- deployment, with Ooredoo Oman being the COVID-19 pandemic. Ooredoo Oman won doo’, a new digital portfolio launched latest to launch 5G Home Internet, enabling digital services. with the respective Ministry of Education to two gold awards at the Stevie Awards Middle through an innovative interactive campaign customers to experience connectivity up to Digital transformation and technology launch e-learning platforms from home for East 2020 for “Innovative Use of Technology featuring sitcom actors; and launched ‘Yara’, 10 times faster than current home internet continue to be a driving force for Ooredoo the upcoming school year 2020-2021. With in Customer Service” and “Innovation in the a VOD platform that attracted 350,000 daily services and bringing high speed internet ac- Group and our early investments in this area digitalization at our core, we continue to in- management, planning application of tech- active users, as it continues to develop its cess to new areas of the country. have enabled us to seamlessly respond to the vest in new products and services to power nologies”. The company was also awarded digital ecosystem across all 48 Wilayas, to • In Qatar, Ooredoo reached a milestone new operating environment and serve our the future of connectivity. In Oman we “Excellence in Digital Transformation and In- better serve its 12.9 million-strong customer of half a million mobile postpaid customers, customers in a safe and convenient way. To launched 5G Home Internet which enables novation Telecom Industry in the Middle base. The company donated to the Red while its 5G plans, launched in December accommodate the steep growth in data traf- customers to experience connectivity up to East, by the Annual Global Brands Magazine Crescent to support the fight against the 2019, have attracted more than 200,000 fic during the pandemic, we are continuously 10 times faster than the current home inter- Awards after being evaluated alongside COVID-19 pandemic. customers. optimizing data traffic flows across our fixed net services, while bringing high speed inter- 10,000 companies. • Ooredoo Group maintained its world and mobile networks. Additionally, experi- net access to new areas of the country, and ranking in the 2020 edition of the Telecoms ence sharing and cross-OpCo collaboration in Algeria we continue to operate the fastest Ooredoo Kuwait 300 report, as one of the top 50 global activities were implemented to help reduce 4G network in the country spanning all 48 Ooredoo Kuwait reported revenues of Ooredoo Tunisia reported revenues of telecommunications brands for the fourth year the required resources and time to market. Wilayas. QAR 1.2 billion for the first half of 2020, QAR 731 million for the half year ended 30 in a row, with a brand value worth over $3.5 These efforts have enabled us to stay true down 10 percent compared to the same pe- June 2020, up 6 percent compared to the billion. It also maintained its Brand Rating sta- to our mission of enriching the digital lives of Operational Review riod last year, as measures implemented to same period last year, despite deteriorating tus of AA+ for the second consecutive year. our customers, which is now more important Ooredoo Qatar manage the COVID-19 pandemic - such as economic conditions following the imple- • Ooredoo Group launched a Ramadan than ever, and therefore, we have managed Ooredoo Qatar withstood significant Free Daily 5GB Internet usage and Free Un- mentation of Government measures to con- campaign under the theme “In a time when to accelerate our digital transformation plans pressure and strengthened its leadership po- limited Local Calls - impacted an already trol the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. we can’t be together, at least we can still be across all markets. We now offer 5G speeds sition during the first half of 2020, despite the competitive market environment. EBITDA declined 2 percent to QAR 314 close,” showcasing the power of technology in three of our markets, with Ooredoo Oman unique challenges created by the global The decline in Revenue had a negative million during H1 2020 due to increased bad to bring families and friends together during being the latest to launch 5G Home Internet COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on impact on Ooredoo Kuwait’s EBITDA for H1 debt provisions as the economy slowed and the traditional Holy Month, and to enable plans in Q2 2020 and 5G trials are ongoing roaming revenue and shop accessibility in 2020, which stood at QAR 316 million com- one-off reversals that took place in H1 2019. communities around the world to overcome in Indonesia, Myanmar and Maldives.” particular. Reported revenue was down 4 pared to QAR 432 million during the same The company continued to focus on cost op- the current disruptions in their daily lives. Also commenting on the results, Sheikh percent year-on-year to QAR 3.5 billion (H1 period last year. The company enhanced its timization to manage the deceleration in rev- Commenting on the results, Sheikh Faisal Saud bin Nasser Al-Thani, Group Chief Ex- 2019: QAR 3.7 billion). EBITDA stood at plans to drive efficiency and further optimize enue growth. Bin Thani Al-Thani, Chairman of Ooredoo, ecutive Officer of Ooredoo said: “Ooredoo QAR 1.9 billion (H1 2019: QAR 2.1 billion). costs in order to manage the pressure on its Ooredoo Tunisia’s customer base re- said: Group reported revenues of QAR 14.1 billion Customer numbers were 3.4 million, up 1.3 top line. Despite these market challenges, mained stable at 8.8 million customers in H1 “Ooredoo Group, with its strong balance in H1 2020, down 3 percent year-on-year percent year-on-year. Ooredoo Kuwait continues to progress with 2020, reaffirming its position as the number sheet and geographically diversified opera- due to movement restrictions designed to The strength of Ooredoo Qatar’s network its digital strategy to better serve its cus- one telecom player by customer market tions, has built a resilient business to suc- contain the spread of the pandemic, reduc- proved an important asset during the period, tomer base of 2.4 million. Strong demand for share. The company supported hospitals and cessfully navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. tions in handset sales and macroeconomic as the company re-optimized its mobile and the company’s 5G home broadband product confinement centers with data access Due to our strong digital capabilities, and in- weakness in some of our other markets. This fixed network to accommodate a significant enabled it to grow its 5G user base during throughout the pandemic and extended its novative technology, Ooredoo Group was was partially offset by strong performances increase in data traffic demand and extended the period and its fully digital mobile solution, free Mobicash card promotion until the end able to partially contain the erosion in its in Indonesia, Tunisia and Myanmar. network and telecom support to quarantine ANA, remains popular with a user base of of July.

KFH continues to serve NBK announces winner of customers during holiday KD 125,000 in Al-Jawhara draw KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait part of our keenness to provide a variety Sarah Ab- KUWAIT: Kuwait Finance House (KFH) con- (NBK) always attempts to provide the of rewards and prizes that suit the ex- dulaziz Ab- tinues to offer round the clock services for its best services and offers to its customers pectations of all customers all year round. dullah customers in Kuwait and overseas during Eid and reward them with prizes that meet “Al-Jawhara Account is a key pillar of Al-Wazzan Al-Adha holiday. Customers can use KFH their expectations. In this context, the NBK efforts to promote the culture of , Bader Ali services through its KFHonline that offers a bank announced MIN Jana Derbas Mo- saving among all segments of society. It Mo- wide range of eservices, in addition to the al- hammad Al-Omar as the winner of Al- also plays a pivotal role in light of our hammed ternative channels KFH Go, XTM, Call Center Jawhara Monthly prize worth KD endeavors to provide an integrated Saleh Al- Hisham Al-Nusif and the social media channels. 125,000 for July 2020. banking experience to our customers, Kandari The self-banking station (KFH Go) allows Al-Jawhara Account gives customers giving them the opportunity to save and Abdul- customers to conduct their transactions and the opportunity to enter draws and win money with a chance to gain profit and lah Mohammad Al-Darawshah . The draw perform many banking services in minutes in prizes of KD 5,000 weekly, KD 125,000 plan for a successful future,” he contin- was held live on NBK Instagram page in a very modern way using advanced tools monthly as well as the grand prize of KD ued. Al-Nusif added: “NBK is commit- the presence of a representative from the through visual and audio communication op- 250,000 quarterly. Every KD 50 de- ted to reward its customers and provide Ministry of Commerce and Industry, as tions; conference call with KFH staff who are posited into Al-Jawhara Account gives them with top-notch services, and ex- well as representatives from NBK, noting always available and ready to answer all cus- the customer a chance to be one the ceptional offers and prizes, noting that that Al Jawhara, monthly and quarterly tomers’ questions. Customers can purchase next lucky winners, and if no withdrawal all Al-Jawhara Account holders have the draws are supervised by Deloitte. and receive Gold biscuits (10grams) and in- or transfers occur on the account during chance to win, in addition to a variety of Since 2012, National Bank of Kuwait stant cheque printing through KFH Go smart the holding period, customers will re- services and benefits offered by this ac- has rewarded loyal customers with a branches. ceive an additional chance to enter the count. Al-Nusif affirmed that anyone total worth of prizes amounting KD KFH has uniquely rolled out innovative lutions, including local and telex financial draw for every KD 50 held in the ac- could open an Al-Jawhara Account by 2,200,000 in Al-Jawhara weekly, services that can be completed online and via transfers, opening deposits, adding benefici- count, doubling their chance to win. visiting the nearest NBK Branch, while monthly and quarterly draws. In addi- mobile using robotics, AI, XTMs and the aries, balance inquiry, cheque book request, Commenting on Al-Jawhara monthly NBK Customers can open an account tion to providing top-notch, cutting- smart branches KFH Go. This contributed to opening KFH gold account, conducting gold draw Hisham Al-Nusif, Deputy General through NBK Mobile Banking or NBK edge and highly secure banking adding value to the customer’s experience, transactions (purchase, sell and trade), re- Manager of Consumer Banking, National Online Banking. services, NBK is keen to offer cus- confirming that the easy banking services en- questing financing, opening an account, ap- Bank of Kuwait, said: “At NBK, we al- On the other hand, NBK announced tomers a variety of offers, rewards and courage customers to use KFHOnline in their plying for Al-Khair card, and checking the ways strive to reward our customers, es- the names of the winners of Al-Jawhara prizes that suit the expectations of cus- transactions. KFH offers online financial so- PINs for credit and debit cards. pecially Al-Jawhara Account holders, as weekly draws of KD 5,000 including: tomers all year round.