G20 Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors to Meet Wednesday

G20 Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors to Meet Wednesday
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G20 Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors to Meet Wednesday

G20 Finance Ministers, Central Bank Governors to Meet Wednesday

G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors will meet under the Saudi G20 Presidency on Wednesday to continue to discuss and take urgent actions to address the global challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, a statement released by the G20 Saudi Secretariat said.

"Given the circumstances, G20 meetings are currently held virtually, and more frequently, as G20 member countries take urgent measures to provide support to people and businesses, safeguard the stability of the global economy and financial markets, restore confidence, and prevent deep and prolonged negative economic impacts," said the statement.

Traditionally, the April G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting is held in Washington D.C. on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Spring Meetings, it said.

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed al-Jadaan and Dr. Ahmed Alkholifey, Governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, will hold a press conference after Wednesday's meeting to highlight its outcomes, including the progress on implementing the pledges made by the G20 leaders at their extraordinary virtual summit last month, it added.

During their last meeting, the G20 Finance Ministers agreed during a conference call to prepare a common strategy to overcome the coronavirus crisis.



Oil Prices Fall as Demand Concerns Overshadow Libyan Export Halt

FILE - The drilling rig of the Kingfisher oil field, operated by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), is seen on the shores of Lake Albert in the Kikuube district of western Uganda Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda, File)
FILE - The drilling rig of the Kingfisher oil field, operated by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), is seen on the shores of Lake Albert in the Kikuube district of western Uganda Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda, File)
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Oil Prices Fall as Demand Concerns Overshadow Libyan Export Halt

FILE - The drilling rig of the Kingfisher oil field, operated by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), is seen on the shores of Lake Albert in the Kikuube district of western Uganda Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda, File)
FILE - The drilling rig of the Kingfisher oil field, operated by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), is seen on the shores of Lake Albert in the Kikuube district of western Uganda Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Hajarah Nalwadda, File)

Brent oil prices fell on Tuesday as sluggish economic growth in China, the world's biggest crude importer, increased worries about demand that overshadowed the impact of the halt of production and exports from Libya.
Brent crude futures were down 17 cents, or 0.2%, to $77.35 a barrel by 0620 GMT, Reuters reported.
West Texas Intermediate crude futures, which did not settle on Monday because of the US Labor Day holiday, were up 50 cents, or 0.7%, at $74.05 a barrel.
"Oil remains under pressure given lingering Chinese demand concerns. Weaker-than-expected PMI data over the weekend would have done little to ease these worries," said Warren Patterson of ING, adding that demand jitters are offsetting the Libyan supply disruptions.
China's purchasing managers' index (PMI) hit a six-month low in August. On Monday, the country reported new export orders in July fell for first time in eight months, and new home prices grew in August at their weakest pace this year.
In Libya, oil exports at major ports were halted on Monday and production curtailed across the country, six engineers told Reuters, continuing a standoff between rival political factions over control of the central bank and oil revenue.
The country's National Oil Corp (NOC) declared force majeure on its El Feel oil field from Sept. 2. Total production had plunged to little more than 591,000 barrels per day (bpd) as of Aug. 28 from nearly 959,000 bpd on Aug. 26, NOC said. Production was at about 1.28 million bpd on July 20, the company said.
Still, some supply is set to return to the market as eight members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and affiliates, known as OPEC+, are scheduled to boost output by 180,000 bpd in October. The plan is likely to go ahead regardless of demand worries, according to industry sources.
OPEC planners may decide that the expected upcoming cuts in US interest rates and the Libyan outage provides space for the addition of more oil, RBC Capital analyst Helima Croft said in a note.
"In our view, a prolonged Libyan outage could support Brent prices" around $85 a barrel, even with additional supply coming onto the market in the fourth quarter, she said.