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.



Coordination Committee Seeks to Promote Bahraini-Saudi Tourism Exhibitions

Sara Ahmed Buhijji, CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority 
Sara Ahmed Buhijji, CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority 
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Coordination Committee Seeks to Promote Bahraini-Saudi Tourism Exhibitions

Sara Ahmed Buhijji, CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority 
Sara Ahmed Buhijji, CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority 

Sara Ahmed Buhijji, CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, revealed the formation of a committee dedicated to coordinating exhibitions, conferences, and tourism events between Manama and Riyadh, with the aim to maximize mutual benefits for both countries in the sector.
Buhijji was speaking on the sidelines of the 9th UNWTO Forum on Gastronomy Tourism, held in Bahrain from November 18-19.
The event, which is taking place for the first time in the Middle East, is organized by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, the UN World Tourism Organization, and the Basque Culinary Center.
According to Buhijji, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are promoting a shared tourism product, given their geographical proximity and close ties. Visitors to Manama can easily travel to Saudi Arabia, either via the King Fahd Causeway—reaching the Eastern Province in less than 20 minutes—or by air, with a flight to Riyadh taking approximately 30 minutes.
She also highlighted a targeted effort to attract tourists from five key countries, including GCC nations, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia as one of the largest sources of visitors to Bahrain.
Buhijji emphasized the significance of hosting the 9th UNWTO Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in the Middle East, which has attracted over 650 participants from 59 countries, including the GCC.
She noted that hosting such a prominent event demonstrates Bahrain’s capability to attract large-scale events, thanks to its robust infrastructure, numerous hotels, and Bahrain International Airport’s capacity to handle a significant number of visitors.