Middle East business information

Saudi-based automotive specialist, Almutlak Trade and Industries plans to sell 30% of its shares to the public early next year as part of plans to expand its business, Reuters has reported. The money raised from the IPO will be taken by the existing shareholders while future expansion of the business will be funded from a capital increase, planned one year after listing, the IPO's adviser said. 'The plan is to have it in the first quarter of 2010 but the exact date is subject to the Capital Market Authority's approval,' according to the Financial Transaction House Co.