Up to $12 Billion Potential Collaboration between UAE’s ADNOC and Wanhua

FILE PHOTO: Staff are seen at the Panorama Digital Command Center at the ADNOC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, UAE May 12, 2018. REUTERS/Satish Kumar/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Staff are seen at the Panorama Digital Command Center at the ADNOC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, UAE May 12, 2018. REUTERS/Satish Kumar/File Photo
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Up to $12 Billion Potential Collaboration between UAE’s ADNOC and Wanhua

FILE PHOTO: Staff are seen at the Panorama Digital Command Center at the ADNOC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, UAE May 12, 2018. REUTERS/Satish Kumar/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Staff are seen at the Panorama Digital Command Center at the ADNOC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, UAE May 12, 2018. REUTERS/Satish Kumar/File Photo

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, ADNOC, signed on Tuesday, a Partnership Framework Agreement with Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd.,Wanhua Chemical, to explore the collaborative development of new opportunities in the downstream sector in the United Arab Emirates and China.

ADNOC and Wanhua Chemical also signed a shipping Joint Venture,JV, agreement building on the 10-year LPG supply contract signed in November 2018.

The potential total value of the collaboration between ADNOC and Wanhua is estimated to be up to $12 billion, further solidifying the strong business and investment ties between the companies, but also reflecting the strong partnership across the energy sector between the two countries.

The Agreements with Wanhua Chemical were signed by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and ADNOC Group CEO, and Zengtai Liao, Chairman of Wanhua Chemical Group.

Dr. Al Jaber said: "The bilateral nature of our planned joint cooperation into both the UAE and China is unique, as it will allow the combined platforms to benefit from ADNOC’s competitive feedstock availability in Abu Dhabi, as well as capture the promising growth opportunities in China."

Under the terms of the JV Contractual Agreement, ADNOC Logistics and Services, ADNOC L&S, and Wanhua Chemical will establish a LPG Shipping Joint Venture, building on the existing 10-year LPG supply contract, which was signed in Shanghai, China, in November 2018. The JV includes the operation of two VLGC vessels,Very Large Gas Carriers vessels. Both companies will optimize their respective supply programs and maximize value through the operation and management of these vessels. Through the JV, ADNOC will maximize the value of its LPG portfolio.

In an additional Partnership Framework Agreement, ADNOC and Wanhua Chemical have agreed to explore and develop JV opportunities in both the UAE and in China. The UAE JV would be focused on producing downstream derivatives, including polyurethanes value chain chemicals at ADNOC’s integrated refining petrochemicals complex in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. The China JV would focus on exploring investment opportunities for the development and production of petrochemical and derivative products in Yantai, Shandong Province, China. These JVs will yield increased feedstock supplies from ADNOC to Wanhua and further strengthen the existing long-term relationship between both companies. The opportunities will allow ADNOC and Wanhua Chemicals to combine and leverage their market leadership and expertise in technology, marketing and competitive feedstocks.



Fitch Revises Italy's Outlook to 'Positive' on Stronger Fiscal Performance

Porta Nuova's financial district is seen in downtown Milan, Italy, May 16, 2018. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Porta Nuova's financial district is seen in downtown Milan, Italy, May 16, 2018. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Fitch Revises Italy's Outlook to 'Positive' on Stronger Fiscal Performance

Porta Nuova's financial district is seen in downtown Milan, Italy, May 16, 2018. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Porta Nuova's financial district is seen in downtown Milan, Italy, May 16, 2018. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Global credit ratings agency Fitch on Friday revised its outlook on Italy to 'positive' from 'stable', citing recent improvements in the fiscal performance of the euro zone's third largest economy and its commitment to EU budget regulations.
The upgrade to the outlook is a boost to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government and comes shortly after Rome reached an agreement with the European Commission on a seven-year budget adjustment, said Reuters.
"Italy's fiscal credibility has increased, and the 2025 budget underscores the government's commitment to EU fiscal rules," Fitch said in a statement.
The agency confirmed Italy's rating at 'BBB'.
In June, the Commission placed Italy and six other countries under a disciplinary procedure due to high budget deficits. Italy's 2023 shortfall came in at 7.2% of gross domestic product, the highest in the 20-nation euro zone.
However, last month the Italian government revised down its targets for the deficit this year and next, to 3.8% and 3.3% of GDP respectively, and said the deficit would fall below the EU’s 3% limit in 2026.
"The judgments of the ratings agencies are the result of the responsible actions of this government and they underscore Italy's credibility," Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said in a statement after Fitch's announcement.
Earlier on Friday, S&P Global confirmed its rating on Italy at 'BBB' and left the outlook at 'stable'.
RISING DEBT
Despite the narrowing annual budget deficits, Italy's debt, proportionally the second highest in the euro zone, is forecast by the government to climb from 134.8% of gross domestic product last year to 137.8% in 2026, before gradually declining.
The Treasury says the projected increase is due to costly home renovation incentives adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic, known as the Superbonus scheme.
The premium investors pay to hold Italian government bonds over top-rated German ones narrowed on Friday to around 116 basis points, the lowest level since end-2021.
Analysts said earlier this week that positive news from any of the ratings agencies due to review Italy could trigger a further narrowing of the yield spread against Germany.
Fitch said its revision to Italy's outlook was also driven by "signs of stronger potential growth and a more stable political context."
The Italian economy expanded by 0.7% in 2023, and most analysts expect a similar modest growth rate this year, slightly below the government's official 1% target.
Meloni, who took office two years ago, retains high approval ratings and opinion polls show her right-wing Brothers of Italy party is comfortably the largest in Italy, with popular support of almost 30%, up from the 26% it won at the 2022 election.
Italy faces further credit rating reviews by Moody's, DBRS and Scope Ratings over the next few weeks up to No. 29.