HelleniQ Energy group CEO Andreas Shiamishis on Thursday left open the possibility of a bigger dividend being disbursed to shareholders for the 2023 results, speaking during an extraordinary general assembly of shareholders in Athens.

“It’s difficult for us to foresee the final dividend for 2023…it has been a very good year. The (group’s) management will make a proposal (at the regular general shareholders’ meeting) for a higher dividend. The proposal will come in February 2024, when the final results of the year (are announced),” he said, reminding that the currently announced dividend will be between 40 to 50 cents per share.

In terms of Thursday’s extraordinary general assembly, shareholders approved a proposal by Greece’s privatization agency (HRADF) for a reduction in the number of board members on the ATHEX-listed refinery and petrochemical group’s board of directors.

Following the decision, the Greek state will be represented with fewer board members due to a recent reduction in the stake it holds in HelleniQ. The privatization fund recently sold-off 11 percent of the shares it held in the refinery group via a public offering.

The fund, officially called the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF), now possesses 31.38 percent of HelleniQ, with Paneuropean Oil and Industrial Holdings S.A. (controlled by the Latsis family) holding 49.41 percent.