Iraq: OPEC+ Aims for Oil Market Stability

A model of an oil rig with the “OPEC” logo in the background (Reuters)
A model of an oil rig with the “OPEC” logo in the background (Reuters)
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Iraq: OPEC+ Aims for Oil Market Stability

A model of an oil rig with the “OPEC” logo in the background (Reuters)
A model of an oil rig with the “OPEC” logo in the background (Reuters)

The goal of OPEC+ meetings is to stabilize the oil market, Iraqi Oil Ministry Spokesperson Asim Jihad affirmed on Saturday, saying decisions are based on market conditions.

“If more oil is needed, production increases; if not, production is cut,” said Jihad, according to the Iraqi News Agency.

Jihad emphasized Iraq’s role in OPEC+ meetings, where decisions are made collectively to stabilize and balance the market. He highlighted voluntary reduction efforts, beneficial for both producers and consumers.

OPEC+ recently decided to maintain current production levels. It reviewed data showing high compliance with production quotas from both OPEC and non-OPEC countries.

The Ministerial Monitoring Committee welcomed commitments from Iraq and Kazakhstan to comply with quotas and compensate for overproduction. It also welcomed Russia’s plan to base adjustments on production rather than exports in 2024’s second quarter.

Countries with excess production between January and March 2024 will submit detailed compensation plans by April 30, 2024.

The committee pledged to monitor market conditions closely and take further action if needed. Saudi Arabia extended voluntary production cuts until June.

OPEC+ members, led by Saudi Arabia, agreed to extend voluntary production cuts by 2.2 million barrels per day. When these cuts end in June, total cuts will decrease to 3.66 million barrels per day.

The OPEC+ Ministerial Monitoring Committee meets every two months to provide policy recommendations, which are then discussed and ratified by all members.



SAMA Governor: Saudi Arabia Plays Key Role in Supporting Global Economic Recovery

G20 leaders meet in Brazil. (Reuters)
G20 leaders meet in Brazil. (Reuters)
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SAMA Governor: Saudi Arabia Plays Key Role in Supporting Global Economic Recovery

G20 leaders meet in Brazil. (Reuters)
G20 leaders meet in Brazil. (Reuters)

Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) Governor Ayman Al-Sayari emphasized the Kingdom’s pivotal role in sustaining global economic recovery and maintaining financial stability. He also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s active participation in addressing key issues during Brazil’s presidency of the G20 Summit.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Al-Sayari affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to achieving the summit’s goals and strengthening multilateral cooperation to tackle challenges such as slow growth and rising global debt levels.

Al-Sayari noted that Saudi Arabia’s participation in the G20 reflects its efforts to promote its own interests while contributing to global economic stability, particularly for regional economies. As the only Arab member of the group, Saudi Arabia seeks to leverage its position to enhance global financial resilience.

He recalled the Kingdom’s leadership of the G20 in 2020, during which it prioritized measures to accelerate global economic recovery, foster financial inclusion, ensure financial stability, and assist low-income countries in mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key issues currently under discussion include the slow global economic growth, high inflation rates, rising global debt, and disparities in economic policies among nations.

Al-Sayari highlighted the importance of the G20’s Common Framework for Debt Treatments, a key initiative launched during Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the group. The framework aims to alleviate the debt burden of the world’s most vulnerable countries, a concern that has grown more pressing as sovereign debt levels reach unprecedented heights.

The governor underscored the alignment between the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the G20’s goals, particularly in fostering financial stability and sustainable development. This includes initiatives to develop financial markets, mitigate risks, adopt global best practices, and ensure the financial sector’s stability while expanding its services and products to support the transition to a sustainable economy.

Moreover, Al-Sayari pointed out ongoing efforts to enhance the fintech sector through updated regulatory frameworks and improved guidelines. The Kingdom also aims to increase financial inclusion and awareness by providing individuals and businesses with access to licensed financial services, ensuring consumer protection, and promoting fairness and transparency in financial transactions.