Saudi CEDA Approves Conclusion of ‘Financial Sustainability Program’ after Plan Completion

A previous meeting of the Saudi Council of Economic and Development Affairs, chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A previous meeting of the Saudi Council of Economic and Development Affairs, chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi CEDA Approves Conclusion of ‘Financial Sustainability Program’ after Plan Completion

A previous meeting of the Saudi Council of Economic and Development Affairs, chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A previous meeting of the Saudi Council of Economic and Development Affairs, chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA) approved the conclusion of the Financial Sustainability Program, one of the first programs of the Saudi Vision 2030 implementation, after successful completion of its plan to ensure continued progress and achievement.

The program has contributed to establishing the foundations for financial sustainability across various key sectors.

Meeting virtually, the Council reviewed the program's performance and achievements in driving positive transformation in public finances through the implementation of numerous reforms and the establishment of effective entities, which helped diversify revenue sources, enhance government spending efficiency and improve financial planning capabilities.

The meeting reviewed the economic report for January presented by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, including an analysis of global economic developments, key projections for global economic growth, the impact of political trends and global changes on emerging market economies, and their effects on the national economy.

Economic indicators demonstrate stability in performance despite global fluctuations and risks arising from challenges in international trade and geopolitical conditions, with this resilience underpinned by growth in both consumer spending and the private sector, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia remains one of the least vulnerable economies to global risks in the region. The Riyad Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) performed strongly, reaching 60.5 points in January, the highest since September 2014.

The non-oil private sector started 2025 with its strongest growth in over a decade, driven by the fastest rise in new orders since June 2011. This has led companies to expand business activity and increase inventory.

CEDA also reviewed the report from the Project Management Office regarding the follow-up on decisions and recommendations issued by the Council during the fourth quarter of 2024. The report detailed the Council's outputs, the status of these outputs with the represented entities and statistics on achievement levels.

The Council’s diligent follow-up on progress led to maintaining a significant increase in the achievement rate, with represented entities exceeding 98% in performance indicators.

Moreover, the meeting addressed the updated executive plan for the Quality of Life Program, which included a review of its scope, goals, challenges, efforts, pillars and strategic considerations.

It highlighted the significant progress made in the quality of life since the launch of Vision 2030, achieved through the combined efforts of various government entities.

The Council also discussed presentations related to policies, studies and strategies, including those concerning the governance of national strategies, the necessary enablers to activate proposed plans for improving waste management in Riyadh, and the unified policy project for determining the need for medicines, medical devices and supplies in the healthcare sector.



China's Iran Oil Imports Surge in June on Rising Shipments, Teapot Demand

FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows a crude oil tanker at an oil terminal off Waidiao island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China January 4, 2023. China Daily via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows a crude oil tanker at an oil terminal off Waidiao island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China January 4, 2023. China Daily via REUTERS
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China's Iran Oil Imports Surge in June on Rising Shipments, Teapot Demand

FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows a crude oil tanker at an oil terminal off Waidiao island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China January 4, 2023. China Daily via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view shows a crude oil tanker at an oil terminal off Waidiao island in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, China January 4, 2023. China Daily via REUTERS

China's Iranian oil imports surged in June as shipments accelerated before the recent conflict in the region and demand from independent refineries improved, analysts said.

The world's top oil importer and biggest buyer of Iranian crude brought in more than 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) from June 1-20, according to ship-tracker Vortexa, a record high based on the firm's data.

Kpler's data put the month-to-date average of China's Iranian oil and condensate imports at 1.46 million bpd as of June 27, up from one million bpd in May.

The rising imports are fueled in part by the accelerated discharge of high volumes of Iranian oil on the water after export loadings from Iran reached a multi-year high of 1.83 million bpd in May, Kpler data showed.

It typically takes at least one month for Iranian oil to reach Chinese ports, Reuters reported.

Robust loadings in May and early June mean China's Iran imports are poised to remain elevated, Kpler and Vortexa analysts said.

Independent Chinese "teapot" refineries, the main buyers of Iranian oil, also showed strong demand for the discount barrels as their stockpiles depleted, said Xu Muyu, Kpler's senior analyst.

A possible relaxing of US President Donald Trump's policy on Iranian oil sanctions could further bolster Chinese buying, she added.

Trump said on Wednesday that Washington has not given up its maximum pressure campaign on Iran - including restrictions on Iranian oil sales - but signaled a potential easing in enforcement to help the country rebuild.

For this week, Iranian Light crude oil was being traded at around $2 a barrel below ICE Brent for end-July to early-August deliveries, two traders familiar with the matter said, compared to discounts of $3.30-$3.50 a barrel previously for July deliveries.

Narrower discounts were spurred by worries that oil flows could be disrupted through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway between Iran and Oman, traders said.

Market fears for a closure of the chokepoint had escalated after last weekend's US attack on Iranian nuclear sites but eased after Iran and Israel on Tuesday signaled a ceasefire.

Tighter discounts for Iranian oil come amid a retreat in futures prices. ICE Brent crude futures hovered at $68 per barrel on Friday, their level before the Israel-Iran conflict began and down 19% from Monday's five-month peak.