Saudi Arabia: Council of Economic, Development Affairs Tackles Investors’ Contribution in Logistic Services

Meeting between the Local Content Unit and the National Logistics Committee at the Council of Saudi Chambers in Riyadh on Wednesday. Asharq Al-Awsat.
Meeting between the Local Content Unit and the National Logistics Committee at the Council of Saudi Chambers in Riyadh on Wednesday. Asharq Al-Awsat.
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Saudi Arabia: Council of Economic, Development Affairs Tackles Investors’ Contribution in Logistic Services

Meeting between the Local Content Unit and the National Logistics Committee at the Council of Saudi Chambers in Riyadh on Wednesday. Asharq Al-Awsat.
Meeting between the Local Content Unit and the National Logistics Committee at the Council of Saudi Chambers in Riyadh on Wednesday. Asharq Al-Awsat.

Fahd al-Sukait of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs has discussed with officials in the National Logistics Committee at the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC), on Wednesday, the condition of investors in logistic services and suggestions to boost this sector and its contribution in the public sector.

This comes amid expectations that the sector grows in 2018 up to 17-22 percent.

The meeting discussed programs that contribute in reinforcing logistic services within the plan to stimulate the private sector, programs to support SMEs and plans to qualify and train the Saudi youths. It also tackled plans to saudize and attract Saudi youths to this sector.

The two sides discussed the role of chambers of commerce and the Local Content Unit in highlighting both the risks and upsides of this decision, and how to address any challenges in this regard to make jobs in the sector sustainable.

Sukait stressed importance of associative strategy between the public and private sector, which achieves economic growth, contributes in accomplishing the Saudi Vision 2030 and reduces unemployment.

He directed the Local Content Unit to submit the five main challenges to the logistics sector so as to address them as soon as possible and elevate the sector’s performance.

Saud al-Nefaei, head of National Logistics Committee at the Council of Saudi Chambers, said to Asharq Al-Awsat during a phone-call that “work is ongoing so that the logistics sector becomes a system linked with many related sectors whether transportation, storage, customs and others."

Nefaei noted that the sector is witnessing a mounting growth, expecting the logistics sector growth to range between 17-22 percent during 2018.



Oil Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

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 Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

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 prices were up slightly on Friday on stronger-than-expected US economic data that raised investor expectations for increasing crude oil demand from the world's largest energy consumer.

But concerns about soft economic conditions in Asia's biggest economies, China and Japan, capped gains.

Brent crude futures for September rose 7 cents to $82.44 a barrel by 0014 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude for September increased 4 cents to $78.32 per barrel, Reuters reported.

In the second quarter, the US economy grew at a faster-than-expected annualised rate of 2.8% as consumers spent more and businesses increased investments, Commerce Department data showed. Economists polled by Reuters had predicted US gross domestic product would grow by 2.0% over the period.

At the same time, inflation pressures eased, which kept intact expectations that the Federal Reserve would move forward with a September interest rate cut. Lower interest rates tend to boost economic activity, which can spur oil demand.

Still, continued signs of trouble in parts of Asia limited oil price gains.

Core consumer prices in Japan's capital were up 2.2% in July from a year earlier, data showed on Friday, raising market expectations of an interest rate hike in the near term.

But an index that strips away energy costs, seen as a better gauge of underlying price trends, rose at the slowest annual pace in nearly two years, suggesting that price hikes are moderating due to soft consumption.

China, the world's biggest crude importer, surprised markets for a second time this week by conducting an unscheduled lending operation on Thursday at steeply lower rates, suggesting authorities are trying to provide heavier monetary stimulus to prop up the economy.