Saudi Arabia Joins UN CISG Agreement

Saudi ports are witnessing a significant growth in the movement of goods. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi ports are witnessing a significant growth in the movement of goods. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Joins UN CISG Agreement

Saudi ports are witnessing a significant growth in the movement of goods. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi ports are witnessing a significant growth in the movement of goods. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has officially acceded to the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), becoming the 96th state party to the convention.

The UN CISG is a multilateral uniform international sales treaty that facilitates international trade by removing legal barriers among state parties and providing consistent rules governing global goods contracts.

The CISG establishes a comprehensive code of legal rules governing the formation of contracts for the international sale of goods, the obligations of the buyer and seller, and remedies for breach of contract and other aspects of the contract.

It also provides an equitable and modern uniform framework for the contract of sale, which is the backbone of international trade in all countries, irrespective of their legal tradition or level of economic development. Its adoption and use may contribute significantly to introducing certainty in commercial exchanges and decreasing transaction costs.

In June, the Saudi Cabinet approved the Kingdom’s accession to the agreement, with the aim of strengthening the commercial sector and keeping pace with legislative reforms and modern regulatory frameworks that support the integration of the Saudi economy with regional and global economies.

Logistics expert Salem Al-Dosari told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom’s accession highlighted the country’s endeavor to strengthen the legal environment and promote trade and investment.

He added that Riyadh was seeking to enhance the growth of its commercial sector and keep pace with legislative reforms and modern regulatory frameworks that support the integration of the Saudi economy with regional and global economies.

The agreement aims to unify international commercial laws pertaining to contracts for the sale of goods between member states, and to achieve a balance between the interests of buyers and sellers in international commercial deals, Al-Dosari remarked.

In addition to facilitating trade, the CISG will help simplify dispute resolution processes, cultivating a conducive environment for all parties involved in international business dealings.



Oil Falls from Highest since October as Dollar Strengthens

People stand on the the pier with offshore oil and gas platform Esther in the distance on January 5, 2025 in Seal Beach, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
People stand on the the pier with offshore oil and gas platform Esther in the distance on January 5, 2025 in Seal Beach, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
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Oil Falls from Highest since October as Dollar Strengthens

People stand on the the pier with offshore oil and gas platform Esther in the distance on January 5, 2025 in Seal Beach, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
People stand on the the pier with offshore oil and gas platform Esther in the distance on January 5, 2025 in Seal Beach, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP

Oil prices dipped on Monday amid a strong US dollar ahead of key economic data by the US Federal Reserve and US payrolls later in the week.
Brent crude futures slid 28 cents, or 0.4%, to $76.23 a barrel by 0800 GMT after settling on Friday at its highest since Oct. 14.
US West Texas Intermediate crude was down 27 cents, or 0.4%, at $73.69 a barrel after closing on Friday at its highest since Oct. 11, Reuters reported.
Oil posted five-session gains previously with hopes of rising demand following colder weather in the Northern Hemisphere and more fiscal stimulus by China to revitalize its faltering economy.
However, the strength of the dollar is on investor's radar, Priyanka Sachdeva, a senior market analyst at Phillip Nova, wrote in a report on Monday.
The dollar stayed close to a two-year peak on Monday. A stronger dollar makes it more expensive to buy the greenback-priced commodity.
Investors are also awaiting economic news for more clues on the Federal Reserve's rate outlook and energy consumption.
Minutes of the Fed's last meeting are due on Wednesday and the December payrolls report will come on Friday.
There are some future concerns about Iranian and Russian oil shipments as the potential for stronger sanctions on both producers looms.
The Biden administration plans to impose more sanctions on Russia over its war on Ukraine, taking aim at its oil revenues with action against tankers carrying Russian crude, two sources with knowledge of the matter said on Sunday.
Goldman Sachs expects Iran's production and exports to fall by the second quarter as a result of expected policy changes and tighter sanctions from the administration of incoming US President Donald Trump.
Output at the OPEC producer could drop by 300,000 barrels per day to 3.25 million bpd by second quarter, they said.
The US oil rig count, an indicator of future output, fell by one to 482 last week, a weekly report from energy services firm Baker Hughes showed on Friday.
Still, the global oil market is clouded by a supply surplus this year as a rise in non-OPEC supplies is projected by analysts to largely offset global demand increase, also with the possibility of more production in the US under Trump.