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Saudi Energy Minister, EU Official Discuss Energy and Clean Tech Cooperation

Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud speaks to a panel during the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh on April 28, 2024. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)
Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud speaks to a panel during the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh on April 28, 2024. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)
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Saudi Energy Minister, EU Official Discuss Energy and Clean Tech Cooperation

Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud speaks to a panel during the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh on April 28, 2024. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)
Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud speaks to a panel during the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh on April 28, 2024. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud and European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson have met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s special meeting in Riyadh.

They discussed energy and clean tech cooperation to strengthen bilateral ties and advance the goals of the Paris Agreement and the outcomes of the UAE Consensus reached at COP28 in Dubai last year.

The Minister and the Commissioner said Saudi Arabia and the EU share a strong determination to accelerate private investment into renewable energy and to cooperate on electricity interconnection and the integration of renewables into the electricity grid, through the further strengthening of the electricity infrastructure e.g. via demand side management (DSM) smart grid and grid resilience and security measures, hydrogen and clean tech sectors, including carbon capture, utilization and storage, underpin opportunities for industrial partnerships in those sectors, and ensure affordable, secure and future-proof energy markets.

Building on the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, and the outcome of recent COPs, Saudi Arabia and the European Commission concluded talks in view of a Saudi-EU Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on energy cooperation, cementing their shared ambition to accelerate actions to reap the economic opportunities offered by their respective energy transitions.

Such an MoU, covering many energy sectors and with energy transition at its core, should provide a solid and mutually beneficial basis for orienting and anchoring investment decisions in the energy and clean tech sectors, involve and mobilize stakeholders from the public, private and financial sectors, and lay the foundation for a more sustainable and secure energy future, underpinned by predictable and stable energy markets ensuring access to secure, affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all.

Saudi Arabia and the European Commission aim to conclude the MoU in the next few months.

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Business

China’s Hailiang, Shinzoom to Build Auto Battery Plants in Morocco 

The Mohammed VI Tower in Rabat. (AFP)
The Mohammed VI Tower in Rabat. (AFP)
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China’s Hailiang, Shinzoom to Build Auto Battery Plants in Morocco 

The Mohammed VI Tower in Rabat. (AFP)
The Mohammed VI Tower in Rabat. (AFP)

Chinese auto battery manufacturers Hailiang and Shinzoom will set up two separate plants in Morocco, as the country seeks to adapt its growing automotive sector to increasing demand for electric vehicles, Moroccan officials said on Tuesday.

Authorities in charge of developing the Moroccan northern industrial zone, Tanger Tech, said Hailiang plans to build a copper plant worth $450 million on an area of 30 hectares.

Shinzoom, part of Hunan Zhongke, will invest $460 million in an anodes plant spanning over 20 hectares, they said in a statement.

In April, the Moroccan government gave the green light for Chinese electric battery maker BTR New Material Group to build a factory near Tangier to produce key component cathodes.

Another Chinese manufacturer, CNGR Advanced Material, is expected to build a cathode plant in Jorf Lasfar, 100 kilometers south of Casablanca, where the government has allocated 283 hectares to electric battery industries.

Last year, the Moroccan government and China's Gotion agreed to look into setting up an electric vehicle battery plant in the kingdom with up to $6.3 billion in eventual investment.

Industry minister Ryad Mezzour told Reuters last month the Gotion project was advancing with discussions on the footprint and location.

Chinese firms are lured by Morocco's geographic location on the Strait of Gibraltar, its free trade agreements with key EU and US markets and its existing automotive industry cluster.

The automotive sector topped Morocco's industrial exports at $14 billion in 2023, up 27%.

Morocco is home to production plants by Stellantis and Renault with an annual combined production capacity of 700,000 cars as well as a cluster of local suppliers.

Business

UK Second Largest Foreign Investor in Saudi Arabia

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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UK Second Largest Foreign Investor in Saudi Arabia

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

Saudi Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid Al-Falih highlighted the deep-rooted Saudi-British relations, saying the UK is the second largest foreign investor in the Kingdom with approximately $16 billion in investment shares.

This came during a panel session held on Tuesday as part of the Great Futures Initiative Conference at the King Abdullah Financial District. The event was held with United Kingdom (UK) Minister for Business and Trade Lord Dominic Johnson.
“The investment sector relies heavily on banks and economic ventures in the financial field," Al-Falih said, indicating that the Kingdom has the fastest growing economy over the past six years.
For his part, the British minister hailed the Kingdom's achievements in expanding joint economic ventures, noting that economic cooperation between the two countries will continue for many decades to come.
He also explained that economic cooperation between the two kingdoms demonstrates the depth of relations and cooperation, as the UK is keen to participate in Saudi Arabia's development.
The UK minister also commended the remarkable development in the Kingdom and the ease of access to investment in the Saudi market, citing the exceptional opportunities for British investors in Saudi Arabia.

Business

SEREDO 2024 Exhibition Opens in Jeddah

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA
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SEREDO 2024 Exhibition Opens in Jeddah

Photo by SPA
Photo by SPA

The Deputy Minister of Municipal Rural Affairs and Housing, Talal bin Mohammed Al-Khunaini, inaugurated the activities of the second edition of the Saudi Real Estate Development and Ownership (SEREDO) 2024 at the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center in Jeddah.

The four-day exhibition seeks to explore promising opportunities in the real estate development sector, exchange expertise, transfer best practices, and experiences among professionals in the field, and strengthen local and international partnerships. It serves as a platform that brings together leading real estate developers, providing an opportunity for companies to showcase their real estate products to specialists and interested individuals in the sector, and to foster new partnerships, SPA reported.
The event will hold discussions on real estate sector developments and analysis of modern market trends, the utilization of geospatial data and its impact on shaping new horizons in real estate, methods and strategies to professionalize real estate auctions, entrepreneurship and innovation in the real estate market, real estate funds, and negotiation techniques for real estate brokers. These sessions will feature the participation of officials, speakers, and specialists in the sector.

Business

Oil Stable as OPEC Maintains Forecasts

An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in Kazakhstan (Reuters)
An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in Kazakhstan (Reuters)
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Oil Stable as OPEC Maintains Forecasts

An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in Kazakhstan (Reuters)
An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in Kazakhstan (Reuters)

Oil prices were little changed on Tuesday, as OPEC maintained its global oil demand forecasts and investors waited on US inflation indicators this week.

Brent crude futures fell 9 cents to $83.27 a barrel at 1102 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures also lost 9 cents to $79.03 a barrel.

"Oil prices were slightly higher overnight but remain in a broad holding pattern over the past week, with the lead-up to the upcoming US inflation data keeping some reservations in place," said Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG.

Investors are watching the U.S. Consumer Price Index data due on Wednesday for clues to when the Federal Reserve will consider cutting interest rates, which could spur economic growth and therefore oil demand.

On Tuesday, OPEC - the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries - stuck to its forecast for relatively strong growth in global oil demand in 2024 and said there was a chance the world economy could do better than expected this year, Reuters reported.

The OPEC monthly report said world oil demand will rise by 2.25 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024 and by 1.85 million bpd in 2025.

The market is also watching wildfires in remote western Canada that could disrupt the country's oil supply.

Firefighters on Monday were racing to contain one blaze in British Columbia and two in Alberta near the heart of the country's oil sands industry.

"Spreading wildfires in Alberta oil sands impose downside risks to our constructive Canada production outlook as massive fires in the same region eight years ago triggered a temporary shutdown of over 1 million bpd oil production," said Goldman Sachs analysts in a note.

Although no operational disruptions have been reported, Alex Hodes, an analyst at energy brokerage StoneX, said Canada's 3.3 million barrel per day (bpd) production capacity was "very likely to be affected".

Business

Geopolitical Tensions Top Bahrain Summit’s Economic Agenda

Jeddah Islamic Port (General Ports Authority)
Jeddah Islamic Port (General Ports Authority)
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Geopolitical Tensions Top Bahrain Summit’s Economic Agenda

Jeddah Islamic Port (General Ports Authority)
Jeddah Islamic Port (General Ports Authority)

Geopolitical challenges and tensions in the Middle East cast a shadow over the Arab Summit that will be held in Bahrain on Thursday. However, these challenges can encourage Arab countries to move towards reaching a declaration of a common Arab market, amid the continued disruption of global supply chains and the emergence of the food security crisis.

The establishment of the Arab Common Market is likely to reduce the risks of dependence on global supply chains, which are suffering from successive disruptions that have already affected the growth rates of some economies, including Arab countries.

This advantage was clearly evident in the electrical interconnection agreements between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as the integrated industrial partnership for sustainable economic development between Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, the Emirates and Morocco.

Economic challenges

Economic growth rates represent an important challenge for Arab countries. Some states saw a decline in the employment rate and an increase in debt, as a result of the direct consequences of external factors on their economies, such as the Israeli war in Gaza, the Russian-Ukrainian war, and the repercussions of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

These factors forced some countries to devalue their currencies against the dollar, which led to a decline in the purchasing value of consumers in parts of the Arab world, in parallel with an increase in inflation rates, which subsequently put pressure on Arab economies.

All these factors have led the International Labor Organization (ILO) to expect unemployment rates in the Arab region to remain high at levels of 9.8 percent during the current year.

Economic integration and the Arab market

The Arab countries have taken important steps towards economic integration, since the launch of the Arab Free Trade Area, which aims to increase levels of intra-trade and remove customs tariffs, leading to the Arab Customs Union, and then the Arab Common Market.

While supporting regional integration requires providing investment incentives and the transfer of intra-Arab capital, Arab countries have recently sought to integrate trade in services within intra-trade liberalization negotiations, in view of the strategic importance of the services sector and its contribution of about 48 percent of the gross domestic product.

In this context, the upcoming summit in Bahrain will discuss an important item on its agenda, which focuses on progress achieved in completing the requirements of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area and the establishment of the Arab Customs Union.

“The economic, social and development fields are the cornerstone of Arab action”, said Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit during the meeting of the Economic and Social Council within the preparations for the 33rd session of the League of Arab States Council meeting at the summit level.

In recent press statements, the Secretary General of the Union of Arab Chambers, Dr. Khaled Hanafi, expected intra-Arab trade to grow by 4 percent to 18 percent during 2025, explaining that the volume of trade among Arab countries is estimated at about $700 billion dollars.

Business

Scores of Protests Invalidate Riyadh Chamber Elections

A glimpse from the ceremony announcing the final results of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce elections (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A glimpse from the ceremony announcing the final results of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce elections (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Scores of Protests Invalidate Riyadh Chamber Elections

A glimpse from the ceremony announcing the final results of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce elections (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A glimpse from the ceremony announcing the final results of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce elections (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Commerce Ministry received numerous complaints from candidates and voters regarding irregularities in the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce elections, sources reported.

Complaints highlighted instances of vote manipulation without the owners’ consent and technical glitches that prevented some candidates from receiving votes.

Consequently, after reviewing the electoral process and detecting manipulation attempts, the ministry took action.

In response to concerns raised by business figures and voters, the ministry initiated a review of the election procedures.

Subsequently, the Election Committee annulled improperly cast votes and allowed those unable to vote due to technical issues a chance to do so within the designated period.

The ministry also extended the term of current board members and pledged to take legal action against violators.

The ministry’s decision was prompted by objections raised regarding the fairness and transparency of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce elections.

Khalid Al-Babtain, a legal advisor, emphasized to Asharq Al-Awsat the ministry’s role in ensuring fair elections.

The Riyadh Chamber of Commerce witnessed a record-high voter turnout, with over 121,000 votes cast compared to 76,600 in the previous elections. Nine candidates secured victories for the board of directors’ positions out of 18 available seats.

Business

Gold Prices Drift Higher as Key US Inflation Data Looms

A salesman arranges gold bangles at a jewelry shop in Chennai, India, on May 10, 2024. (Photo by R. Satish BABU / AFP)
A salesman arranges gold bangles at a jewelry shop in Chennai, India, on May 10, 2024. (Photo by R. Satish BABU / AFP)
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Gold Prices Drift Higher as Key US Inflation Data Looms

A salesman arranges gold bangles at a jewelry shop in Chennai, India, on May 10, 2024. (Photo by R. Satish BABU / AFP)
A salesman arranges gold bangles at a jewelry shop in Chennai, India, on May 10, 2024. (Photo by R. Satish BABU / AFP)

Gold prices drifted up on Tuesday, with the spotlight shifting to key inflation reports due this week, which could offer more insights on the pace and scale of the US Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts this year.
Spot gold was up 0.4% at $2,344.39 per ounce by 0557 GMT after falling 1% on Monday, Reuters reported.
US gold futures rose 0.3% to $2,350.00.
The US producer price index data is scheduled for release at 1230 GMT, followed by the consumer price index on Wednesday. The CPI data is expected to show core inflation rose 0.3% month-over-month in April, down from 0.4% the prior month, according to a Reuters poll, pulling the annual rate down to 3.6%.
"If gold manages to hold above $2,320- $2,330 range, that is a sign of positiveness. That means short-term momentum will be bullish and with that support after a weaker CPI data, potentially gold could test the all-time high level in the short-term," said Kelvin Wong, a senior market analyst for Asia Pacific at OANDA.
However, currently "gold prices are supported by ongoing stagflationary risk scenario that is kind of ignoring the whole higher cost of holding gold."
Bullion is known as inflation hedge but elevated interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding gold.
Last week's weak jobs report and a softer-than-expected US payrolls report for April have increased expectations for rate reductions this year. The Fed will cut its key interest rate twice this year, starting in September, according to a stronger majority of economists polled by Reuters.
Spot silver rose 0.8% to $28.41 per ounce and palladium gained 0.8% to $968.43.
Platinum was up 0.6% to $1,002.90, after hitting a near one-year peak on Monday.
BHP Group is likely to sweeten its $43 billion takeover offer for Anglo American for a second time and possibly add cash, investors in both companies said, after the London-headquartered target rejected a higher bid.

Business

International Companies Gather in Riyadh to Explore Giga Saudi Projects

The Saudi Giga Projects 2024 kicked off on Monday in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Giga Projects 2024 kicked off on Monday in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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International Companies Gather in Riyadh to Explore Giga Saudi Projects

The Saudi Giga Projects 2024 kicked off on Monday in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Giga Projects 2024 kicked off on Monday in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

More than 600 investors and representatives of local and international companies gathered in Riyadh to explore the Giga projects that are currently being implemented in Saudi Arabia, namely NEOM, Qiddiya, The Red Sea, Roshen, and Diriyah.
The two-day Saudi Giga Projects 2024 kicked off on Monday, in the presence of government agencies, developers, contractors, consultants, suppliers and thought leaders, to discover the huge projects taking place in the Kingdom within the framework of Vision 2030.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, CEO of Expertise Contracting Co. Ltd., Mohammad Ashif, said that his company works with giant Saudi projects such as The Red Sea and Qiddiya, and provides services to the King Salman Park, with the aim to develop Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure in line with Vision 2030.
Expertise Contracting Co. Ltd. is a leading industrial group in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. It provides services in various sectors, including petrochemicals, oil and gas, fertilizers, steel, cement, water treatment, and power generation sectors.
Ashif stressed that Saudi Arabia is considered a model for the future of construction and infrastructure, and has achieved a 40 percent annual growth in this field during the past five years.
For his part, the regional account manager at MEED, the global business intelligence company, Alaa Khamis, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the volume of the Kingdom’s major projects will exceed $850 billion in 2023. He continued that the value of the contracts that were delivered last year amounted to about $65 billion, covering various sectors.
During the event, speakers discussed the latest trends and technologies in giant Saudi projects, pointing to a great interest by international companies to explore investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
The CEO of Asfar Tourism Investment Company, which is wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Fahad bin Mushayt, said that one of the company’s main goals focuses on empowering the private sector.
He also announced the full opening of the first resort in the city of Al Baha at the end of 2024.
The Saudi Giga Projects 2024 featured a dynamic program of keynote speeches and panel discussions presented by more than 30 speakers.
Participants listened to updates and in-depth insights about major Saudi giant projects, including Trojena, New Square, Diriyah, King Salman Park and Red Sea International.

Business

Saudi Finance Minister Participates in Qatar Economic Forum 2024

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan. (AP)
Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan. (AP)
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Saudi Finance Minister Participates in Qatar Economic Forum 2024

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan. (AP)
Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan. (AP)

The Saudi Minister of Finance, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan, participates in the fourth edition of the Qatar Economic Forum 2024, held from 14 May through 16, in Doha, Qatar.
The forum aims to discuss economic challenges and opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa region, said the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.
During the first day of the forum, the Saudi minister will participate in a dialogue session titled "Reshaping Middle East Economies." During the session, he will join the Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, Muhammad Al-Jasser, and the Qatari Minister of Finance, Ali Al-Kuwari.
The forum will bring together over 1,000 decision-makers from government and private sectors worldwide. They will discuss various topics including geopolitical challenges, globalization and trade, energy transition, technological innovation, business and investment prospects, as well as sports and entertainment.

Business

Red Sea Global Announces Cooperation with Oracle

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced a cooperation with Oracle to introduce its technology solutions, including OPERA Cloud Central Hospitality platform, in the Kingdom for the first time. (SPA)
Red Sea Global (RSG) announced a cooperation with Oracle to introduce its technology solutions, including OPERA Cloud Central Hospitality platform, in the Kingdom for the first time. (SPA)
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Red Sea Global Announces Cooperation with Oracle

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced a cooperation with Oracle to introduce its technology solutions, including OPERA Cloud Central Hospitality platform, in the Kingdom for the first time. (SPA)
Red Sea Global (RSG) announced a cooperation with Oracle to introduce its technology solutions, including OPERA Cloud Central Hospitality platform, in the Kingdom for the first time. (SPA)

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced on Monday a cooperation with Oracle, a company specialized in hospitality, to introduce its technology solutions, including OPERA Cloud Central Hospitality platform, in the Kingdom for the first time.

Through this cooperation, RSG said it will establish premier luxury resorts such as Thuwal Private Retreat, Shebara, and Desert Rock, which are set to become the first resorts in the Kingdom to leverage Oracle's advanced cloud hospitality technology solutions.

Group CEO at Red Sea Global John Pagano said: "The Oracle Hospitality OPERA Cloud Central platform truly is best in class, but until now, it has not been accessible to the Saudi Arabian industry."

"Oracle was eager to be part of the exciting transformation happening in the Kingdom, especially in the hospitality industry. With their expertise and support, we now have the technology in place to deliver exceptional guest experiences, responding to our discerning visitors' needs before they know what they want," he added.

Executive Vice President and General Manager at Oracle Hospitality Alex Alt said: "Saudi Arabia is one of the world's most exciting hospitality market stories today, and by pioneering a regenerative approach to tourism, Red Sea Global is at the heart of that transformation. Now, Oracle will also be a part of shaping the sector's future in the region."