KSA: Group of Investors Briefed on 100 Privatization Opportunities

KSA: Group of Investors Briefed on 100 Privatization Opportunities
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KSA: Group of Investors Briefed on 100 Privatization Opportunities

KSA: Group of Investors Briefed on 100 Privatization Opportunities

Saudi Arabia has hosted a huge banking and investment group in Riyadh, including 67 banks and financial companies that were briefed on up to 100 potential privatization opportunities in the Saudi public sector.

Spokesman of the National Center For Privatization (NCP) Hani al-Sayegh noted that the center is exploring more opportunities that can be privatized in government institutions.

There is a list of 100 current opportunities, he added, saying that the access of giant investment firms to privatization and the public-private partnership has been facilitated.

The gathering encompassed a number of executive managers of local and international banks as well as financial companies operating in the kingdom. Representatives of 67 commercial and investment banks and financial firms also attended.

This meeting showcased current investment opportunities to be issued from sectors targeted with privatization. It also shed light on the features and components of these sectors and presented the NCP’s plans to attract international and local investors to take part in the privatization opportunities.

Sayegh affirmed that convening with banks and financial companies is vital because of their role as partners in boosting privatization and public-private partnership via funding, consultations, and producing innovative financial products.

He stressed that banks play a positive role in stimulating international and local investments, introducing new prospects in the national economy, and upgrading services provided to citizens and residents.

Sayegh said this was the third meeting for NCP with the business sector since the beginning of the year. The first was with businessmen in a number of commercial chambers in the kingdom and then with businessmen in Eastern Province.

The center aims to hold meetings with various business sectors to establish a knowledge base for the private sector and to support public-private partnerships, in addition to supporting privatization opportunities.



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.