DP World, Israel's DoverTower Sign MoUs to Consolidate Trade

The two sides sign the MoUs. WAM
The two sides sign the MoUs. WAM
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DP World, Israel's DoverTower Sign MoUs to Consolidate Trade

The two sides sign the MoUs. WAM
The two sides sign the MoUs. WAM

Dubai-based port operator DP World and Dubai Customs will be exploring opportunities to develop trade links between Israel and the UAE, following the signing of a series of memorandums of understanding, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Wednesday.

Group Chairman and CEO of DP World Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem signed MoUs with DoverTower, a company owned by Shlomi Fogel, the co-owner of Israel Shipyards and Port of Eilat, it said.

The MoUs create a framework for the companies to work together in assessing opportunities to develop infrastructure for trade between the two countries, as well as within Israel and the region.

Under the MoUs, DP World will assess the development of Israeli ports and free zones and the potential establishment of a direct shipping route between Eilat and Jebel Ali.

Dubai Customs will promote and facilitate trade between private entities in the two countries through customs best practice and seamless, innovative processes.

Drydocks World will also explore business opportunities with Israel Shipyards on a joint venture for developing, manufacturing and marketing ISL products.

The chairman and CEO of DP World said the MoUs will contribute to the efforts to tap economic and trade cooperation opportunities.

“DP World’s mission is to enable global trade – our work to build trade routes between the UAE, Israel and beyond will help our customers to do business in the region more easily and efficiently,” WAM quoted him as saying.

Fogel said: "This is a great honor to work and collaborate with Sultan bin Sulayem. I’m proud of our mutual friendship and vision to create a strategic partnership that will positively impact the global trade and economy while strengthening the commercial relationship between the state of Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

"I believe that this agreement is just the beginning of mutual and long collaboration and more agreements will follow between DP World and DoverTower across different industries.

"I am also happy to announce that DP World and Israel Shipyards will collaborate to establish a joint venture that will participate in the tender for privatization of the Port of Haifa."



Oil Falls as Traders Weigh Potential US-China Trade Talks

Oil Falls as Traders Weigh Potential US-China Trade Talks
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Oil Falls as Traders Weigh Potential US-China Trade Talks

Oil Falls as Traders Weigh Potential US-China Trade Talks

Oil prices fell on Friday as traders squared positions ahead of an OPEC+ meeting and amid some scepticism about a potential de-escalation of the trade dispute between China and the United States.

Brent crude futures were down 23 cents, or 0.4%, to $61.90 a barrel at 1105 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 24 cents, or 0.4%, to $59 a barrel.

For the week, Brent was on track for a 7% drop and WTI was down 6.5% so far, the biggest weekly declines in a month, Reuters reported.

China's Commerce Ministry said on Friday that Beijing was "evaluating" a proposal from Washington to hold talks aimed at addressing US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, signalling a possible easing of the trade tensions that have rattled global markets.

"There is some optimism when it comes to US-China relations but the signs are only very tentative," said Harry Tchilinguirian, group head of research at Onyx Capital Group. "It's still very fluid, a one step forward, two steps back situation when it comes to tariffs."

Concerns that the broader trade war could push the global economy into a recession and crimp oil demand, just as the OPEC+ group is preparing to raise output, have weighed heavily on oil prices in recent weeks.

Complicating any talks was a threat from Trump to impose secondary sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil. China is the world's largest importer of Iran's crude.

Trump's comments followed a postponement of US talks with Iran over its nuclear program. He had previously restored a "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, which included efforts to drive the country's oil exports to zero to help prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Oil prices gained late in Thursday's session to settle nearly 2% higher on Trump's remarks, erasing some of the losses recorded earlier in the week on expectations of more OPEC+ supply coming to the market.

Several OPEC+ members are set to suggest the group accelerates output hikes in June for a second consecutive month, Reuters previously reported. Eight OPEC+ countries will meet on May 5 to decide a June output plan.