DUBAI, Oct 29 ― Saudi Aramco aims to announce the start of its initial public offering (IPO) on November 3, three people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters, after delaying the deal earlier this month to give advisers time to secure cornerstone investors.

Separately, Aramco has not approached the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) to invest in the IPO, the sovereign wealth fund's managing director Farouk Bastaki said today.

"KIA has not been approached by Aramco or its advisers for the IPO, and KIA will look at the IPO like any other investment,” Bastaki told reporters on the sidelines of an investment conference in Riyadh.

The people also said Aramco's chief executive officer, Amin Nasser, was not present at the conference today as he was meeting investors abroad ahead of the offering.

Aramco, in response to queries by Reuters, said today the oil company "does not comment on rumour or speculation. The company continues to engage with the shareholders on IPO readiness activities. The company is ready and timing will depend on market conditions and be at a time of the shareholders' choosing.”

The people declined to be identified due to commercial sensitivities. ― Reuters