Saudi SWF mulls local asset sales to fund overseas deals: sources

Dubai

SAUDI Arabia's sovereign wealth fund is considering selling stakes in local companies to raise funds for international expansion, according to five people with knowledge of the matter.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) - with about US$100 billion worth of shares in listed local companies including Saudi Basic Industries Corp and Saudi Telecom Co - is reviewing the stakes as it seeks to diversify its assets, the sources said, asking not to be identified as the discussions are private. The fund could reduce its holdings in local companies and retain control through measures such as golden shares, one of the sources said.