Aramco Chief Expects Additional Oil Demand of 1.3 Million bpd this Year

Saudi Aramco's Chief Executive Amin Nasser speaking in Davos 2025
Saudi Aramco's Chief Executive Amin Nasser speaking in Davos 2025
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Aramco Chief Expects Additional Oil Demand of 1.3 Million bpd this Year

Saudi Aramco's Chief Executive Amin Nasser speaking in Davos 2025
Saudi Aramco's Chief Executive Amin Nasser speaking in Davos 2025

Saudi oil giant Aramco's Chief Executive Amin Nasser said on Tuesday he sees the oil market as healthy and expects an additional 1.3 million barrels per day of demand this year.
Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Nasser was responding to a question on the impact of US President Donald Trump's energy decisions, which could increase US hydrocarbon output.
Oil demand this year will approach 106 million barrels per day after averaging about 104.6 million barrels per day in 2024, he said.
“We still think the market is healthy ... last year we averaged around 104.6 million barrels (per day), this year, we're expecting an additional demand of about 1.3 million barrels ... so there is growth in the market,” he said.
Asked about US sanctions on Russian crude tankers, he said the situation was still at an early stage.
“If you look at the impacted barrels, you're talking about more than 2 million barrels,” he said. “We will wait and see how would that translate into tightness in the market, it is still in the early stage.”
Asked if China and India have sought additional oil volumes from Saudi Arabia on the back of the sanctions, Nasser said Aramco is bound by the levels the Kingdom's energy ministry allows it to pump.
“The Kingdom and the Ministry of Energy is always looking at balancing the market. They take that into account when they give us the target of how much we should put in the market,” he said.
In a Bloomberg television interview in Davos, Nasser said: “We still see good demand coming out of China.” The country, along with India, make up about 40% of the rise in global consumption and, “demand is increasing year on year.”
Nasser’s comments echo those he made back in October, saying he was bullish on China after a series of government stimulus measures aimed at reviving the economy.
Nasser also said that Aramco is working with MidOcean, an LNG firm in which it took a 51% stake, and “looking at expanding our position globally in LNG,” without giving details.



Saudi Arabia Reports SAR540 Billion in Services Trade with 7% Annual Growth

Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi and other officials are seen at the panel discussion at Davos. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi and other officials are seen at the panel discussion at Davos. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reports SAR540 Billion in Services Trade with 7% Annual Growth

Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi and other officials are seen at the panel discussion at Davos. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi and other officials are seen at the panel discussion at Davos. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Kassabi announced on Wednesday that the Kingdom’s trade in services reached SAR540 billion in 2023, reflecting an annual growth rate of 7%.

Speaking at a panel discussion on Trade in Service at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he underscored the global significance of the services sector, which makes up approximately 65% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), 60% of foreign investments, and serves as the largest provider of jobs worldwide, particularly benefiting women.

He emphasized the need for global collaboration to reduce regulatory and procedural obstacles in the services sector, adding that simplifying these systems would boost competitiveness and alleviate burdens on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), thereby raising their economic contribution.

Al-Kassabi outlined Saudi Arabia’s significant investments in digital infrastructure, including SAR93.7 billion already spent and an additional SAR75 billion allocated for future projects.

The investments, he said, aim to support digital transformation, boost businesses, and attract foreign investments.

The Kingdom has partnered with international organizations to establish legislative frameworks that protect investments and advance human resource development and has created a Center for Distinguished Residence to attract skilled talents, he went on to say.

The World Economic Forum emphasized the critical importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors for the future of trade in services. It highlighted its partnership with the National Competitiveness Center on the Facilitating and Developing Trade in Services initiative, which focuses on key sectors such as information and communications technology (ICT), finance, transportation and logistics services, and mining. The sectors are vital as they underpin all economic activities.