King Salman’s visit to Asian countries to achieve Vision 2030 aims, say experts

March 8, 2017

Riyadh, Mar 8: Experts said the visit of King Salman to several Asian countries carries investment mega-opportunities that will help achieve the objectives of Vision 2030.

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They said strengthening relations with the East Asian countries allows the Kingdom to benefit from trade locations and the experiences of these countries, local media said.

The board chairman of the Eastern Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abdulrahman Al-Otaishan, said openness to the emerging economies of East Asian countries will allow the Kingdom to diversify income sources, and attract new expertise from these countries.

Nasir Al-Hajri, a businessman, said the visit reflects the correct approach of the Kingdom’s leaders in reading economic developments. Eastern openness will strengthen the Kingdom’s economy and link it to mega-economies that have weight in global markets, he said.

Abdullah Al-Majdouie, another businessman, said openness is the feature of the modern era, and it becomes imperative to gain new additions from countries that have accomplished a lot in terms of economic growth that will serve the Kingdom’s strategic objectives in the long term.

Atif Sukkar, professor of Political Sciences at King Abdul Aziz University, said the king’s visit is not only important locally, but it is equally important at the foreign level for the Kingdom’s reputable international position.

Abdulbari Al-Nuwaihi, professor of economics at Prince Sultan Management College at Al-Faisal University in Jeddah, said the king’s visit is of paramount importance, as it will increase political, military and economic cooperation between the Kingdom and these countries. It will also allow openness to new markets and build strong alliances, he said.

Suha Allawi, assistant professor of Corporate Governance and Investment at King Abdul Aziz University, said the king’s visit aims to diversify the Kingdom’s strategic partnerships and strengthen its bilateral relations with the East Asian countries.

A Shoura Council member and professor of history and antiquities at King Saud University, Ahmed Al-Zailai, said the deals signed during the king’s visit to these Asian countries were good products of his visit.

The head of the Committee of Economy and Energy at the Shoura Council, Abdulrahman Al-Rashid, said the energy deals signed with the Indonesian side would boost relations with the Asian counties, in general, and the Kingdom’s strategic partners in oil and petrochemicals in particular.

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News Network
May 7,2020

Dubai, May 7: The holy month of Ramadan is expected to be a 30-day month this year, said Ibrahim Al Jarwan, member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences.

According to Arabic daily Emarat Al Youm, he said that Sunday, May 24, will mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal.

Additionally, he said that the crescent of Shawwal will occur on Friday, May 22, at 9.39pm, after sunset, and will be visible on Sunday, May 24, the beginning of Shawal, which makes Ramadan a 30-day month this year.

He added that the next Ramadan is expected to start on April 13, 2021, and the one after that on April 2, 2022.

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Arab News
March 9,2020

Dubai, Mar 9: The eyes of the world will be on the oil markets when the big trading hubs in Europe and North America open following the end of the deal between Saudi Arabia and Russia that has helped to sustain crude at relatively high levels for the past three years.

There were big falls on Friday when ministers from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) failed to get a deal with non-OPEC members — the so-called OPEC+ — to extend output agreements. Brent oil was down nearly 10 percent at $45.27 going into the western weekend.

Saudi Aramco took immediate action to cut prices after the OPEC+ collapse, offering big discounts for crude deliveries from next month, when the current output restrictions end.

According to a notification sent to customers by Saudi Aramco, seen by Arab News, the Kingdom’s oil giant will cut between $4 and $8 per barrel, with the biggest discounts being offered to buyers in northwest Europe and the US.

Roger Diwan, an oil analyst at consultancy IHS Market, said: “We are likely to see the lowest oil prices of the past 20 years in the next quarter.”

West Texas Intermediate, the US oil benchmark, fell to $28.27 in November 2001.

The move raises the possibility of a “crude war” between the three biggest oil blocs — the US, Russia and the Arabian Gulf. Some analysts believe the American shale industry is more vulnerable to low prices than either the Russians or the Saudis.

Robin Mills, head of the Qamar consultancy, told Arab News: “I don’t think this was premeditated but Saudi Arabia has clearly swung quickly into action to put the Russians under pressure. But the Russians, with low debt and a flexible exchange rate, can cope with a few months of low prices.”

The boom in US shale has made the country the biggest oil producer in the world, but with high financing costs. Lower global prices would put a lot of shale companies out of business.

On the other hand, American motorists, and President Donald Trump, would be pleased to see lower fuel prices in an election year.

In Moscow, one prominent financier with ties to the Kingdom played down the long-term significance of the Vienna fallout.

Kirill Dmitriev, chief executive of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, told Arab News: “Saudi Arabia is our strategic partner, and cooperation between our two countries will continue in all areas. We will also continue to work within the framework of the Russia-Saudi Economic Council.”

One Russian official, who asked not to be named, added: “There is a good relationship between Alexander Novak, Russian energy minister, and his Saudi counterpart Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, and I am sure they will continue talking to each other less formally.”

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News Network
January 3,2020

Hong Kong, Jan 3: Oil prices soared more than four per cent Friday following claims that the US had killed a top Iranian general, ratcheting up tensions between the foes and fuelling fears of a conflict in the crude-rich region.

The head of Iran's Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, was hit in an attack on Baghdad international airport early Friday, according to Hased, a powerful Iraqi paramilitary force linked to Tehran.

Brent surged 4.4 per cent to USD 69.16 and WTI jumped 4.3 per cent to 63.84.

“Oil prices still have room for further upside as many analysts are still having to upgrade their demand forecasts to include a rather calm period on the trade front,” Moya said, referring to the warming trade relation between China and the United States.

“President Trump is likely to take a break on being ‘tariff man’ until we get beyond the presidential election in November.”

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