Khartoum Reviews Decision to Seize Lands Owned by Saudi Investors

Saudi investments in the country are estimated at more than USD 6 billion, according to the head of the Joint Saudi-Sudanese Business Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi investments in the country are estimated at more than USD 6 billion, according to the head of the Joint Saudi-Sudanese Business Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Khartoum Reviews Decision to Seize Lands Owned by Saudi Investors

Saudi investments in the country are estimated at more than USD 6 billion, according to the head of the Joint Saudi-Sudanese Business Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi investments in the country are estimated at more than USD 6 billion, according to the head of the Joint Saudi-Sudanese Business Council. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Sudan’s Minister of Investment, Dr. Al-Hadi Muhammad Ibrahim, underlined on Monday a strategic plan to solve issues pertaining to Saudi investments in his country.

He said he was looking forward to activating the banking mechanisms between the two sides, after the removal of Sudan from the US list of countries sponsoring terrorism.

The minister also stressed the importance of Saudi investments in Sudan, as one of the most significant resources for the development of the Sudanese economy that provides job opportunities for the youth.

His remarks came during a virtual meeting with members of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Sudanese Business Council to discuss the main obstacles facing Saudi investors in Sudan at the request of Eng. Hussein Saeed Bahri, Chairman of the Council.

Bahri told Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting focused on the reality and size of Saudi investments, the obstacles facing such investments, and the need to develop a clear strategy to solve related problems.

He added that the discussions emphasized the need to find a solution to the problem of ports and the means to provide fuel, in addition to reconsidering recent decisions to reclaim some lands owned by Saudi investors in Sudan.

He also quoted the Sudanese Minister of Investment as saying that Saudi investments would receive great attention from his government, as they currently constitute the biggest share of investments in the country.

The head of the joint business council pointed out that Saudi investments in Sudan were estimated at more than USD6 billion in agriculture, industry and the services sector, with a particular focus on agricultural and livestock projects.



Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh Demand against US Inventories

FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
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Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh Demand against US Inventories

FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)

Oil prices were little changed on Thursday as investors weighed firm winter fuel demand expectations against large US fuel inventories and macroeconomic concerns.

Brent crude futures were down 3 cents at $76.13 a barrel by 1003 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures dipped 10 cents to $73.22.

Both benchmarks fell more than 1% on Wednesday as a stronger dollar and a bigger than expected rise in US fuel stockpiles pressured prices.

"The oil market is still grappling with opposite forces - seasonal demand to support the bulls and macro data that supports a stronger US dollar in the medium term ... that can put a ceiling to prevent the bulls from advancing further," said OANDA senior market analyst Kelvin Wong.

JPMorgan analysts expect oil demand for January to expand by 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) year on year to 101.4 million bpd, primarily driven by increased use of heating fuels in the Northern Hemisphere.

"Global oil demand is expected to remain strong throughout January, fuelled by colder than normal winter conditions that are boosting heating fuel consumption, as well as an earlier onset of travel activities in China for the Lunar New Year holidays," the analysts said.

The market structure in Brent futures is also indicating that traders are becoming more concerned about supply tightening at the same time demand is increasing.

The premium of the front-month Brent contract over the six-month contract reached its widest since August on Wednesday. A widening of this backwardation, when futures for prompt delivery are higher than for later delivery, typically indicates that supply is declining or demand is increasing.

Nevertheless, official Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed rising gasoline and distillates stockpiles in the United States last week.

The dollar strengthened further on Thursday, underpinned by rising Treasury yields ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's entrance into the White House on Jan. 20.

Looking ahead, WTI crude oil is expected to oscillate within a range of $67.55 to $77.95 into February as the market awaits more clarity on Trump's administration policies and fresh fiscal stimulus measures out of China, OANDA's Wong said.