Riyadh to Host Human Resources and Manpower Forum

People attend a previous edition of the Human Resources and Manpower Forum. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
People attend a previous edition of the Human Resources and Manpower Forum. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Riyadh to Host Human Resources and Manpower Forum

People attend a previous edition of the Human Resources and Manpower Forum. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
People attend a previous edition of the Human Resources and Manpower Forum. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi capital will host the sixth edition of the Human Resources and Manpower Forum and Exhibition from Oct. 27-30, featuring participation from the largest human resources and recruitment companies in the Kingdom, along with a wide international presence from 16 European, Asian, and African countries.

The annual forum is unique in the Middle East and highlights the centrality and role of human resources in various development sectors. It also reflects Riyadh’s growing status as a hub for distinguished events and exhibitions, further emphasized by the Kingdom’s successful bid to host Expo 2030.

The forum will see participation from various diplomatic missions and foreign ambassadors in the Kingdom, serving as an annual platform that brings together leading companies in the human resources and workforce sectors, both locally and globally, with HR officials from different entities, specialties, and business sectors, including domestic work.

Saudi Arabia ranks high among the most attractive countries for human capital across various fields and has made significant progress in making its labor market more appealing, particularly with the initiatives, programs, and regulations aimed at raising quality and improving services.

The forum will be held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, welcoming visitors daily from 12 PM to 10 PM.



Oil Steadies after Fall as Middle East Uncertainty Persists

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 Steadies after Fall as Middle East Uncertainty Persists

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 steadied on Wednesday, supported by OPEC+ cuts and uncertainty over what may happen next in the Middle East conflict, although an outlook for ample supply next year added downward pressure.

Crude fell more than 4% to a near two-week low on Tuesday in response to a weaker demand outlook and after a media report said Israel would not strike Iranian nuclear and oil sites, easing fears of supply disruptions.

Brent crude oil futures were down 33 cents, or 0.4%, at $73.92 a barrel by 1110 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures lost 38 cents, or 0.5%, to $70.20, according to Reuters.

Still, concern about an escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah persists. OPEC+ supply curbs remain in place until December when some members are scheduled to start unwinding one layer of cuts.

"We would be somewhat surprised if the geopolitical risk premium has disappeared for the time being," said Norbert Ruecker of Julius Baer.

"We see the market heading towards a supply surplus by 2025," he added.

On the demand side, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the International Energy Agency this week cut their 2024 global oil demand growth forecasts, with China accounting for the bulk of the downgrades.

Economic stimulus in China has failed to give oil prices much support. China may raise an additional 6 trillion yuan ($850 billion) from special treasury bonds over three years to stimulate a sagging economy, local media reported.

"Monetary and fiscal efforts to revive the Chinese economy are proving a damp squib," said Tamas Varga at oil broker PVM.

Coming up is the latest US oil inventory data. The American Petroleum Institute's report is due later on Wednesday, followed by the government's figures on Thursday. Both reports are published a day later than normal following a federal holiday.

Analysts polled by Reuters expected crude stockpiles rose by about 1.8 million barrels in the week to Oct. 11.