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Saudi Arabia Secures Top Spot in Arab Region, 20th Globally in QI4SD

A drone view shows the last supermoon of 2024 dubbed "Beaver Moon" during early hours of moon-rise over Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 15, 2024. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the last supermoon of 2024 dubbed "Beaver Moon" during early hours of moon-rise over Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 15, 2024. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Secures Top Spot in Arab Region, 20th Globally in QI4SD

A drone view shows the last supermoon of 2024 dubbed "Beaver Moon" during early hours of moon-rise over Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 15, 2024. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the last supermoon of 2024 dubbed "Beaver Moon" during early hours of moon-rise over Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 15, 2024. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia came first in the Arab region Middle East and North Africa in the Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development Index (QI4SD) 2024 released biennially by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

It also came in the 20th position globally, climbing 25 places compared to the 2022 index.

Key elements of quality infrastructure assessed in the index encompass standards, metrology, standardization, accreditation, conformity assessment, and national policies.

Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Authority (SASO) Governor Dr. Saad bin Othman Al-Qasbi said the positions in the index mirror the national efforts led by SASO in collaboration with the Saudi Accreditation Center and pertinent stakeholders from the public and private sectors.

These positions bolster Saudi Arabia's global standing and help achieve a more prosperous and competitive economy, he added in a statement.

Al-Qasbi praised the evolution of the Kingdom's quality system and its impact on living standards, economic growth, and business operations, which have contributed to Saudi Arabia's advancements in global rankings.

Saudi Arabia's place among the top 20 nations is testimony to its dedication to boosting quality infrastructure and refining its legal framework and regulations.

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Oil Prices Ease but Remain Near 2-week Highs on Russia, Iran Tensions

FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo
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Oil Prices Ease but Remain Near 2-week Highs on Russia, Iran Tensions

FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo

Oil prices retreated on Monday following 6% gains last week, but remained near two-week highs as geopolitical tensions grew between Western powers and major oil producers Russia and Iran, raising risks of supply disruption.
Brent crude futures slipped 26 cents, or 0.35%, to $74.91 a barrel by 0440 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $70.97 a barrel, down 27 cents, or 0.38%.
Both contracts last week notched their biggest weekly gains since late September to reach their highest settlement levels since Nov. 7 after Russia fired a hypersonic missile at Ukraine in a warning to the United States and UK following strikes by Kyiv on Russia using US and British weapons.
"Oil prices are starting the new week with some slight cool-off as market participants await more cues from geopolitical developments and the Fed’s policy outlook to set the tone," said Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG.
"Tensions between Ukraine and Russia have edged up a notch lately, leading to some pricing for the risks of a wider escalation potentially impacting oil supplies."
As both Ukraine and Russia vie to gain some leverage ahead of any upcoming negotiations under a Trump administration, the tensions may likely persist into the year-end, keeping Brent prices supported around $70-$80, Yeap added.
In addition, Iran reacted to a resolution passed by the UN nuclear watchdog on Thursday by ordering measures such as activating various new and advanced centrifuges used in enriching uranium.
"The IAEA censure and Iran’s response heightens the likelihood that Trump will look to enforce sanctions against Iran’s oil exports when he comes into power," Vivek Dhar, a commodities strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia said in a note.
Enforced sanctions could sideline about 1 million barrels per day of Iran’s oil exports, about 1% of global oil supply, he said.
The Iranian foreign ministry said on Sunday that it will hold talks about its disputed nuclear program with three European powers on Nov. 29.
"Markets are concerned not only about damage to oil ports and infrastructure, but also the possibility of war contagion and involvement of more countries," said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.
Investors were also focused on rising crude oil demand at China and India, the world's top and third-largest importers, respectively.
China's crude imports rebounded in November as lower prices drew stockpiling demand while Indian refiners increased crude throughput by 3% on year to 5.04 million bpd in October, buoyed by fuel exports.
For the week, traders will be eyeing US personal consumption expenditures (PCE) data, due on Wednesday, as that will likely inform the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting scheduled for Dec. 17-18, Sachdeva said.