Aramco Completes Acquisition of 40% Stake in Gas & Oil Pakistan

At the closing ceremony are GO CEO Khalid Riaz, sitting left, and Aramco Director of International Retail Nader Douhan, sitting right. Standing, from left, are GO board members Bilal Ansari and Shahzad Mubeen, Aramco Executive Vice President of Products & Customers Yasser Mufti, GO Chairman Tariq Kirmani, and Aramco Vice President of Retail Ziyad Juraifani. (Aramco Official Site)
At the closing ceremony are GO CEO Khalid Riaz, sitting left, and Aramco Director of International Retail Nader Douhan, sitting right. Standing, from left, are GO board members Bilal Ansari and Shahzad Mubeen, Aramco Executive Vice President of Products & Customers Yasser Mufti, GO Chairman Tariq Kirmani, and Aramco Vice President of Retail Ziyad Juraifani. (Aramco Official Site)
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Aramco Completes Acquisition of 40% Stake in Gas & Oil Pakistan

At the closing ceremony are GO CEO Khalid Riaz, sitting left, and Aramco Director of International Retail Nader Douhan, sitting right. Standing, from left, are GO board members Bilal Ansari and Shahzad Mubeen, Aramco Executive Vice President of Products & Customers Yasser Mufti, GO Chairman Tariq Kirmani, and Aramco Vice President of Retail Ziyad Juraifani. (Aramco Official Site)
At the closing ceremony are GO CEO Khalid Riaz, sitting left, and Aramco Director of International Retail Nader Douhan, sitting right. Standing, from left, are GO board members Bilal Ansari and Shahzad Mubeen, Aramco Executive Vice President of Products & Customers Yasser Mufti, GO Chairman Tariq Kirmani, and Aramco Vice President of Retail Ziyad Juraifani. (Aramco Official Site)

Saudi oil giant Aramco said it has made further progress in its global retail expansion by completing the acquisition of a 40% equity stake in Gas & Oil Pakistan Ltd. (“GO”).

GO is a diversified downstream fuels, lubricants and retail store operator in Pakistan with a network of more than 1,200 retail fuel stations, Aramco said in a statement on Friday.

It added that the acquisition, first announced in December 2023, represents Aramco’s first Downstream retail investment in Pakistan and signals the Company’s growing retail presence in high-value markets.

"In March, Aramco also acquired a 100% equity stake in Esmax Distribución SpA (“Esmax”), a leading diversified downstream fuels and lubricants retailer in Chile," the statement added.

In this regard, Yasser Mufti, Aramco Executive Vice President of Products & Customers, said: “Our global retail expansion is gaining pace and this acquisition is an important next step on our journey. Through our strategic partnership with GO, we look forward to supplying Aramco’s high-quality products and services to valued customers in Pakistan."

"We are also delighted to welcome another high-caliber addition to Aramco’s growing network of global partners, and look forward to combining our resources and expertise to unlock new opportunities and further grow the Aramco brand overseas.”



Third ‘Mirkaz AlBalad AlAmeen Platform’ to Open in Makkah on Sunday 

A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)
A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)
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Third ‘Mirkaz AlBalad AlAmeen Platform’ to Open in Makkah on Sunday 

A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)
A street in the holy city of Makkah is decorated with Ramadan lights. (SPA)

The third edition of the “Mirkaz ABalad AlAmeen”, a leading platform for exchanging opportunities in Makkah, will kick off on Sunday, under the theme “Makkah Inspires the World.”

The platform, organized by the Holy Makkah Municipality, will feature 15 exceptional Ramadan evenings focused on dialogue, knowledge exchange, and cross-sector engagement.

Makkah Mayor Musad Aldaood said the platform redefines development from Makkah, where faith meets inspiration and values are transformed into a comprehensive civilizational experience.

He noted that the initiative reflects the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 and showcases Makkah to the world as a living model of creativity, leadership, and innovation.

The upcoming edition will host more than 65 speakers, including executive leaders and decision-makers from across all three sectors, alongside futurists, entrepreneurs, and leading voices in culture and inspiration from artists, writers, media professionals, and innovators.

The program targets 12 key sectors: technology and digital transformation, financial investment, communications and media, real estate development, transport and logistics, banking services, youth and sports, tourism and culture, hospitality and catering, Hajj and Umrah, the third sector, and healthcare.


Saudi Arabia’s Mawani Grants Unified License to Global Shipping Line 

The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)
The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)
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Saudi Arabia’s Mawani Grants Unified License to Global Shipping Line 

The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)
The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector. (Mawani)

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) granted on Thursday a unified license to international shipping line Global Shipping Line (PIL), officially recognizing it as an authorized foreign investor to operate maritime agencies in the Kingdom's ports, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The license is issued in accordance with the regulations outlined in the Maritime Agency Services, reflecting Mawani's commitment to boosting the efficiency of the maritime sector and improving the quality of operational services provided at ports.

It aims to attract global expertise and facilitate knowledge transfer within the Kingdom, aligning with international best practices in the maritime transport industry.

The initiative is part of Mawani's ongoing efforts to develop the maritime business environment, enable international companies to invest in the Saudi market, and increase competitiveness within the maritime sector.

PIL, which operates from its regional headquarters in Riyadh, manages operations in 29 countries.

The move strengthens the Kingdom's position as a crucial logistics hub, in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, while attracting more international shipping lines. It reinforces Saudi Arabia's role as a key link among three continents.


IMF: Restoring Lebanon's Economic Growth Will Require Comprehensive Reforms

FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo
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IMF: Restoring Lebanon's Economic Growth Will Require Comprehensive Reforms

FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., US, November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier//File Photo

Lebanon's economy has shown resilience despite conflicts in the region, with tourism fueling a bit of a rebound, but restoring growth will require comprehensive reforms, the International Monetary Fund said on Thursday.

IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack said the global lender remains engaged in complex discussions with Lebanese ‌authorities following their ‌request for an IMF-supported ‌program ⁠in March 2025. The ⁠IMF sent a staff mission to Beirut earlier this month, said Reuters.

The talks have been focused on two big issues, she said, citing the need for banking sector restructuring and a medium-term fiscal ⁠strategy. "The economy has shown resilience ‌despite the impact ‌of conflicts in the region. It has had ‌a bit of a rebound ‌on the back of tourism from the strong diaspora," Kozack said.

"But at the same time, really restoring strong and sustainable growth will ‌require a comprehensive set of reforms to tackle some of the ⁠structural ⁠weaknesses that have really hampered Lebanon's economic performance for many years," she said. Reforms also are needed to attract international support to help Lebanon address its substantial reconstruction needs.

Kozack said Lebanon needs an updated medium-term fiscal framework that includes concrete measures to mobilize additional revenues for much-needed capital spending, as well as a sovereign debt restructuring to restore debt sustainability.