Dubai: The Dubai toll-gate operator Salik recorded a dip in 2022 net profit to Dh1.32 billion from Dh1.38 billion, while revenues came in higher at Dh1.89 billion against Dh1.69 billion.

These are the first annual results since Salik’s drive through to a DFM listing, part of the Dubai government’s push to offer IPOs of key public sector enterprises.

But Salik says that comparisons on net profit may not give the full picture on a like-for-like basis. That’s because of ‘changes in its operating structure and cost profile’, the company said.

“From July 2022, Salik operates as a separate legal entity from RTA through a 49-year concession agreement. This has resulted in new costs, such as concession fees, rent, amortization, and transitional service expenses, as well as finance costs that did not exist prior to July 2022.”

Operational gains

The number of revenue-generating trips was higher by 12.6 per cent year-on-year, to around 413 million trips. This reflects the increased activity within the Dubai economy through the period, and showing up on the level of road usage. Plus, there will have been gains from the increased flow of visitor and tourist presence in the city through the final weeks of the year.

More to follow...