Saudi Arabia, Jordan Discuss Complementary Projects North of NEOM

A view of the NEOM project. (NEOM via Twitter)
A view of the NEOM project. (NEOM via Twitter)
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Saudi Arabia, Jordan Discuss Complementary Projects North of NEOM

A view of the NEOM project. (NEOM via Twitter)
A view of the NEOM project. (NEOM via Twitter)

Saudi Arabia and Jordan discussed last week efforts to activate the opportunities available north of NEOM project, from the Jordanian side.

Jordan’s side of the border boasts ports and ready infrastructure that could be used immediately for projects that serve both countries and boost Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the region.

Chairman of Jordan’s Investment Commission Khalid Wazani said the NEOM project is attracting more Saudi-Jordanian investments that will be established in the Aqaba port city, including the enhancement of the existing business there.

He pointed out that the Jordanian side of NEOM includes Aqaba port and Marsa Zayed. It is expected to become a platform for exchange of expertise and consultations that will yield complementary projects related to NEOM.

This will make it easier for investors to benefit from the port, Wazani noted.

In a statement Friday, he stressed that the expected results, convergence of views and the achievement of some of the project’s objectives will serve Saudi Vision 2030 and the region in general, including Egypt and Jordan, which are part of NEOM.

He made his remarks following a meeting in Riyadh with member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Securities and Investment Committee at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce Mohammed al-Sayer.

The meeting was attended by a number of Jordanian officials and investors from both countries representing different sectors.

In October 2017, the $500 billion NEOM project was launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

Located in the Kingdom’s far northwest, NEOM will provide opportunities for development with a total area of 460 km on the banks of the Red Sea and a total area of 26,500 square meters.



Oil Slips as OPEC+ Output Hikes Counter Russia Disruption Concerns

Repsol oil refinery complex is seen during the sunset near Tarragona, Spain February 13, 2025. REUTERS/Nacho Doce/File Photo
Repsol oil refinery complex is seen during the sunset near Tarragona, Spain February 13, 2025. REUTERS/Nacho Doce/File Photo
TT
20

Oil Slips as OPEC+ Output Hikes Counter Russia Disruption Concerns

Repsol oil refinery complex is seen during the sunset near Tarragona, Spain February 13, 2025. REUTERS/Nacho Doce/File Photo
Repsol oil refinery complex is seen during the sunset near Tarragona, Spain February 13, 2025. REUTERS/Nacho Doce/File Photo

Oil slipped about 1% on Tuesday as rising OPEC+ supply and worries of weaker global demand countered concern about US President Donald Trump's threats to India over its Russian oil purchases.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, together known as OPEC+, agreed on Sunday to raise oil production by 547,000 barrels per day for September, a move that will end its most recent output cut earlier than planned.

Brent crude futures were down 70 cents, or 1%, to $68.06 a barrel at 1052 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude slipped 79 cents, or 1.2%, to $65.50. Both contracts fell by more than 1% on Monday to settle at their lowest in a week.

Trump on Monday again threatened higher tariffs on Indian goods over the country's Russian oil purchases. New Delhi called his attack "unjustified" and vowed to protect its economic interests, deepening a trade rift between the two countries.

Oil's move since Trump's threat indicates that traders are sceptical of a supply disruption happening, said John Evans of oil broker PVM in a report. He questioned whether Trump would risk higher oil prices.

"I'd call it a stable market for oil," said Giovanni Staunovo, analyst at UBS. "Assume this likely continues until we figure out what the US president announces in respect to Russia later this week and how those buyers would react."

India is the biggest buyer of seaborne crude from Russia, importing about 1.75 million bpd from January to June this year, up 1% from a year ago, according to data provided to Reuters by trade sources.

Trump's threats come amid renewed concerns about oil demand and some analysts expect faltering economic growth in the second half of the year.

JPMorgan said on Tuesday the risk of a US recession was high. Also, China's July Politburo meeting signalled no more policy easing, with the focus shifting to structural rebalancing of the world's second-largest economy, the analysts said.