Duqm Materials Market Opens as Third Project in China-Oman Industrial City

The Duqm Materials Market project will open new horizons of cooperation between businessmen in China and the Sultanate of Oman
The Duqm Materials Market project will open new horizons of cooperation between businessmen in China and the Sultanate of Oman
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Duqm Materials Market Opens as Third Project in China-Oman Industrial City

The Duqm Materials Market project will open new horizons of cooperation between businessmen in China and the Sultanate of Oman
The Duqm Materials Market project will open new horizons of cooperation between businessmen in China and the Sultanate of Oman

Duqm Materials Market, the third project in the China-Oman Industrial City for light and medium industries, was inaugurated on Sunday at the Special Economic Zone in Duqm (SEZD).
The project was built on an area of 32,000 sqm in partnership with the Chinese company Wanfang, Al Thabat Holding Company, and Duqm Development Company, at an investment cost of RO7.5 million ($19.4 million).
Duqm Materials Market activities include selling all types of building materials, electrical appliances, and luxury items, in addition to displaying Chinese cars. It is equipped with several manufacturing workshops, which allows companies to manufacture their products in the market.
“The Duqm Materials Market project will open new horizons of cooperation between businessmen in China and the Sultanate of Oman, and contribute to strengthening the existing partnership between the two friendly countries and allowing a greater presence of Chinese products in the Sultanate of Oman,” said Su Wei, chairman of the Board of Directors of Duqm Materials Market Company and representative of the Chinese company Wanfang in the Sultanate of Oman.
He expressed his hope that the market will contribute to achieving a greater partnership between the two sides, not limited to the field of retail, but also includes manufacturing and exporting to all countries of the world, given the potential available in Duqm, such as activating global trade through the Port of Duqm and the strategic location of the region on global shipping lines.
He stressed in a press statement that Chinese businessmen are always looking forward to entering new markets, as the opening of the project will be attended by 30 representatives of Chinese companies to get acquainted with the project and the Duqm Special Economic Zone in general, in addition to displaying a wide range of Chinese products.
Mahmoud bin Salem al Jardani, Business Development Manager at Duqm Development Company, said that the market is one of the largest retail projects in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm and will contribute to attracting local and international companies to benefit from the market’s potential and facilities, which were designed according to the highest standards and under the direct supervision of Duqm Development Company.
He added that the market provides all the services that help businessmen start their investment activity and that the project’s location, which is about 10 km away from Duqm Port, will facilitate the import of materials to the market and facilitate export to various countries of the world.



Oil Steadies as Market Awaits Fresh US Tariffs

FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
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Oil Steadies as Market Awaits Fresh US Tariffs

FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo

Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday as traders remained cautious ahead of US tariffs due to be announced at 2000 GMT, fearing they could exacerbate a global trade war and dampen demand for crude.

Brent futures were down 7 cents, or 0.09%, at $74.42 a barrel by 0858 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 5 cents, or 0.07%, to $71.15.

The White House confirmed on Tuesday that President Donald Trump will impose new tariffs on Wednesday, though it provided no detail on the size and scope of the trade barriers, according to Reuters.

Trump's tariff policies could stoke inflation, slow economic growth and escalate trade disputes.

"Crude prices have paused last month's rally, with Brent finding some resistance above $75, with the focus for now turning from a sanctions-led reduction in supply to Trump's tariff announcement and its potential negative impact on growth and demand," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.

Traders will be watching for levies on crude imports, potentially driving up prices of refined products, he added.

For weeks Trump has touted April 2 as "Liberation Day", bringing new duties that could rattle the global trade system.

The White House announcement is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET (2000 GMT).

"The balance of risk lies to the downside, given that weaker than expected tariff measures are unlikely to drive a significant rally in Brent, while stronger than expected measures could trigger a substantial selloff," BMI analysts said in a note.

Trump has also threatened to impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil and on Monday he ramped up sanctions on Iran as part of his administration's "maximum pressure" campaign to cut its exports.

"Markets likely to be volatile ahead of the final announcements on tariffs and the scale of them. The threat of secondary tariffs on Russian crude continues to provide some support for prices, with more downside risk at present around tariff uncertainty," said Panmure Liberum analyst Ashley Kelty.

US oil and fuel inventories painted a mixed picture of supply and demand in the world's biggest producer and consumer.

US crude oil inventories rose by 6 million barrels in the week ended March 28, according to sources citing the American Petroleum Institute. Gasoline inventories, however, fell by 1.6 million barrels and distillate stocks were down by 11,000 barrels, the sources said.

Official US crude oil inventory data from the Energy Information Administration is due later on Wednesday.