Saudi Arabia, a Center for Spreading Culture of Economic Reforms Globally

Saudi Arabia was chosen as a knowledge center due to its pioneering experience over the past years. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia was chosen as a knowledge center due to its pioneering experience over the past years. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, a Center for Spreading Culture of Economic Reforms Globally

Saudi Arabia was chosen as a knowledge center due to its pioneering experience over the past years. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia was chosen as a knowledge center due to its pioneering experience over the past years. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and the World Bank Group announced on Friday their intention to establish a knowledge center in the Kingdom as part of their efforts to spread the culture of economic reforms globally.

Speaking in Washington, Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi said this step emphasizes the great progress the Kingdom has achieved in global competitiveness reports and indicators, thanks to economic reforms implemented with the support and directives of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

He added that the center will pave the way for further regional and global cooperation in the areas of competitiveness and will allow benefiting from Saudi Arabia’s abilities to implement economic reforms and from the World Bank’s experience that extends for more than 50 years.

The World Bank has chosen Saudi Arabia as the knowledge center to spread the culture of economic reforms in view of its pioneering experience over the past seven years, during which the Kingdom successfully applied an integrated business model that achieved its desired goals.

A founding committee, which includes the Ministries of Finance and Economy and Planning and relevant government agencies, is participating in preparations to establish the center.

In Washington, Al-Qasabi held meetings with Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, and senior experts to discuss the latest initiatives to facilitate cross-border trade by simplifying customs procedures and regulations.



Oil Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
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Oil Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

Oil prices were up slightly on Friday on stronger-than-expected US economic data that raised investor expectations for increasing crude oil demand from the world's largest energy consumer.

But concerns about soft economic conditions in Asia's biggest economies, China and Japan, capped gains.

Brent crude futures for September rose 7 cents to $82.44 a barrel by 0014 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude for September increased 4 cents to $78.32 per barrel, Reuters reported.

In the second quarter, the US economy grew at a faster-than-expected annualised rate of 2.8% as consumers spent more and businesses increased investments, Commerce Department data showed. Economists polled by Reuters had predicted US gross domestic product would grow by 2.0% over the period.

At the same time, inflation pressures eased, which kept intact expectations that the Federal Reserve would move forward with a September interest rate cut. Lower interest rates tend to boost economic activity, which can spur oil demand.

Still, continued signs of trouble in parts of Asia limited oil price gains.

Core consumer prices in Japan's capital were up 2.2% in July from a year earlier, data showed on Friday, raising market expectations of an interest rate hike in the near term.

But an index that strips away energy costs, seen as a better gauge of underlying price trends, rose at the slowest annual pace in nearly two years, suggesting that price hikes are moderating due to soft consumption.

China, the world's biggest crude importer, surprised markets for a second time this week by conducting an unscheduled lending operation on Thursday at steeply lower rates, suggesting authorities are trying to provide heavier monetary stimulus to prop up the economy.