688 Trucks Loaded With Syrian Goods Enter Saudi Market

A woman shops for snacks at a supermarket in the capital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 18, 2020. (AFP Photo)
A woman shops for snacks at a supermarket in the capital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 18, 2020. (AFP Photo)
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688 Trucks Loaded With Syrian Goods Enter Saudi Market

A woman shops for snacks at a supermarket in the capital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 18, 2020. (AFP Photo)
A woman shops for snacks at a supermarket in the capital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 18, 2020. (AFP Photo)

The Saudi General Authority of Customs confirmed the smooth flow of Syrian exports through Saudi ports to the local markets, indicating that trucks coming from Syria have entered according to the approved regulations and in line with the customs procedures.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, the Customs Authority said that Al Haditha crossing, which is located on the northern borders of the Kingdom, saw the passage of more than 688 trucks from August 2016 until the end of last October, loaded with goods from Syria, while more than 799 trucks left Saudi territory during the same period.

There is no specific mechanism or procedure for Syrian trucks, Customs officials said. The same procedures and regulations are applied for all exporting countries.

Asked whether there was a list of specific Syrian goods allowed to enter the Saudi territory, the officials said: “There are no specific goods; but only items and goods that are permitted to enter according to the approved regulations in the Kingdom.”

Meanwhile, sources in the Saudi retail markets told to Asharq Al-Awsat that Syrian products were always available, “and they include various types of vegetables, fruits, and other products and commodities that are sold in many Saudi cities.”



Abu Dhabi's XRG Targets Gas, LNG Capacity of 20-25 Million Tons a Year by 2035

Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, speaks at the United Nations climate change conference COP29 opening in Baku, Azerbaijan November 11, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, speaks at the United Nations climate change conference COP29 opening in Baku, Azerbaijan November 11, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
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Abu Dhabi's XRG Targets Gas, LNG Capacity of 20-25 Million Tons a Year by 2035

Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, speaks at the United Nations climate change conference COP29 opening in Baku, Azerbaijan November 11, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo
Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President, speaks at the United Nations climate change conference COP29 opening in Baku, Azerbaijan November 11, 2024. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

XRG, the international investment arm of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), is aiming to have a gas and LNG business with a capacity of between 20 million and 25 million metric tons a year by 2035, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

XRG was set up last year as an investment company focused on lower-carbon energy, gas and chemicals, with assets of more than $80 billion.

On Tuesday, its board, whose members include former BP CEO Bernard Looney and Blackstone's Jon Gray, approved the capacity target and a new five-year business plan.

Board members also supported the assessment of potential gas acquisitions and LNG opportunities in North America, Reuters reported.

ADNOC's current US investments already sit under XRG, and the oil giant's Chief Executive Sultan Al Jaber said in March that XRG would make a significant investment in US natural gas in coming months.

XRG has also changed the name of its low carbon energies platform to Energy Solutions to reflect the full scope of the company's strategy, including energy demand linked to artificial intelligence and the digital economy, a company spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The board "endorsed the company's ambition to create a top three global chemicals platform," XRG said.

ADNOC had agreed in October to buy German chemicals maker Covestro for 14.7 billion euros ($16.73 billion) including debt. Jaber later said it would sit under XRG.