AlKhorayef to Asharq Al-Awsat: Incentives Offered to Empower Military Industries Investors

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef during his tour of the World Defense Show. (X)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef during his tour of the World Defense Show. (X)
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AlKhorayef to Asharq Al-Awsat: Incentives Offered to Empower Military Industries Investors

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef during his tour of the World Defense Show. (X)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef during his tour of the World Defense Show. (X)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef shared with Asharq Al-Awsat that there are direct incentives for investors in the country’s military industries.

These incentives cover loans, industrial purposes, local content in national products, pre-purchase contracts, and other support tools.

AlKhorayef emphasized the ministry’s collaboration with various entities and the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) to support the Kingdom’s growing military sector.

He revealed efforts to build a strong industrial base, focusing on key industries like iron, aluminum, advanced technologies, electronics, and advanced chemicals such as plastics.

The minister highlighted the joint efforts with the military system, creating opportunities for industries that serve both sectors. He confirmed the availability of specific incentives for military industries based on Saudi Arabia’s needs.

AlKhorayef also pointed out that the industrial system provides various incentives to empower investors, including financial support and other facilitative components.



Oil Prices Set to End Week over 3% Lower as Supply Risks Ease

FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo
TT

Oil Prices Set to End Week over 3% Lower as Supply Risks Ease

FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo

Oil prices fell on Friday, heading for a weekly drop of more than 3%, as concerns over supply risks from the Israel-Hezbollah conflict eased, alleviating earlier disruption fears.
Brent crude futures fell 55 cents, or 0.8%, to $72.73 a barrel by 0758 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $69.52, down 20 cents, or 0.3%, compared with Wednesday's closing price.
On a weekly basis, Brent futures were down 3.3% and the U.S. WTI benchmark was trading 3.8% lower.
Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah traded accusations on Thursday over alleged violations of their ceasefire that came into effect the day before. The deal had at first appeared to alleviate the potential for supply disruption from a broader conflict that had led to a risk premium for oil.
Oil supplies from the Middle East, though, have been largely unaffected during Israel's parallel conflicts with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
OPEC+, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, delayed its next policy meeting to Dec. 5 from Dec. 1 to avoid a scheduling conflict. OPEC+ is expected to further extend its production cuts at the meeting.
BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, downgraded its Brent price forecast on Friday to $76/bbl in 2025 from $78/bbl previously, citing a "bearish fundamental outlook, ongoing weakness in oil market sentiment and the downside pressure on prices we expect to accrue under Trump."
"Although we expect the OPEC+ group will opt to roll-over the existing cuts into the new year, this will not be sufficient to fully erase the production glut we forecast for next year," BMI analysts said in a note.
Also on Thursday, Russia struck Ukrainian energy facilities for the second time this month. ANZ analysts said the attack risked retaliation that could affect Russian oil supply.
Iran told a UN nuclear watchdog it would install more than 6,000 additional uranium-enriching centrifuges at its enrichment plants, a confidential report by the watchdog said on Thursday.
Analysts at Goldman Sachs have said Iranian supply could drop by as much as 1 million barrels per day in the first half of next year if Western powers tighten sanctions enforcement on its crude oil output.