Arab Bank and Citi arrange $180m syndicated loan for Hikma Pharmaceuticals Group 

(MENAFN - Jordan Times) Arab Bank announced Saturday in a press release that Hikma Pharmaceuticals has recently appointed it and Citi as mandated lead arrangers of a 180 million syndicated term loan facility to finance Hikma's corporate acquisitions and general capital expenditures.

"Europe Arab Bank, Arab National Bank - London and National Bank of Kuwait - London are joining the syndicated facility as underwriters," the press statement indicated.

"The syndicated term loan facility will enable Hikma to expand and penetrate new markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region," Arab Bank said in the press release. "Further to financing Hikma's expansion, Arab Bank and Citibank N.A. will also be providing banking services to the acquired entities becoming affiliates to and subsidiaries of Hikma through their extensive networks in the region."

Hikma Pharmaceuticals Chairman Samih Darwazah said: "Our relationship with Arab Bank and Citibank has always stood on solid grounds. This enduring relationship ensures that our financing position remains very strong and will allow us to make further strategic investments across our business."

He added: "We remain confident that we can continue to deliver strong growth complemented by additional acquisitions, partnerships and inlicensing activity, in a secure and steady manner with the banking services that are provided by Arab Bank and Citibank in the MENA ."

Arab Bank Chairman Abdul Hamid Shoman said: "Hikma Group will be able to benefit from the banking services provided by Arab Bank's well-entrenched network in the MENA region and in Europe for their ambitious expansion plans in the promising pharmaceutical sector. This landmark deal reflects our role in our customers' progress, whether domestically or across borders, and affirms our position as a leading global bank."

Citi's Middle East Chief Executive Officer Atiq-Ur Rehman said: "Hikma is a success story in corporate Middle East and we're happy to be among their key bankers across several geographies around the world.

"We look forward to continuing our support of Hikma's growth strategy, as well as financing the group's subsidiaries in MENA and beyond," he added.