KSA: Govt E-Platform Aims to Attract Foreign Investment Companies

KSA: Govt E-Platform Aims to Attract Foreign Investment Companies
TT

KSA: Govt E-Platform Aims to Attract Foreign Investment Companies

KSA: Govt E-Platform Aims to Attract Foreign Investment Companies

Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih said that more efforts would be exerted to attract investment opportunities, announcing the imminent launching of a new dedicated e-platform that would help foreign investors find the best opportunities in the Kingdom.

During an interview with “Frankly Speaking” program broadcast by the Saudi Arab News newspaper, Falih said hundreds of opportunities would be soon available on the Invest Saudi online portal “for investors to evaluate and take to the next level of execution.”

He added that the Kingdom was creating a suitable environment for high-quality international experts to choose Saudi Arabia to be their home where they can even retire, and not only to be their workplace.

Falih noted that a government decision to limit contracting to the companies that move their regional headquarters to the Kingdom would not affect the private sector, adding that the government would facilitate all procedures that help these establishments develop their business in the future.

The Saudi government had announced the suspension of contracting with any foreign commercial company or establishment that has a regional headquarters in a country other than the Kingdom, starting 2024. This includes bodies, institutions, and funds affiliated with the government or any of its bodies.

The Kingdom noted that this approach was consistent with the strategic goals of Riyadh 2030, but would not affect the ability of any investor to enter the Saudi market or continue to deal with the private sector.

Twenty-four global companies signed agreements to establish major regional offices in the Saudi capital - a step that would contribute to doubling the size of the economy, achieving major leaps in job generation, improving the quality of life, and expanding investments so that Riyadh become among the 10 largest city economies in the world by 2030.



Oil Up, Heads for 4th Weekly gain as US Sanctions Hit Supply

FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
TT

Oil Up, Heads for 4th Weekly gain as US Sanctions Hit Supply

FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo

Oil prices rose on Friday and headed towards a fourth consecutive weekly gain as the latest US sanctions on Russian energy trade hit supply and pushed up spot trade prices and shipping rates.
Brent crude futures rose 44 cents, or 0.5%, to $81.73 per barrel by 0443 GMT, US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 62 cents, or 0.8%, to $79.3 a barrel.
Brent and WTI have gained 2.5% and 3.6% so far this week.
"Supply concerns from US sanctions on Russian oil producers and tankers, combined with expectations of a demand recovery driven by potential US interest rate cuts, are bolstering the crude market," said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities.
"The anticipated increase in kerosene demand due to cold weather in the US is another supportive factor," he added.
The Biden administration last Friday announced widening sanctions targeting Russian oil producers and tankers, followed by more measures against Russia's military-industrial base and sanctions-evasion efforts.
Moscow's top customers China and India are now scouring the globe for replacement barrels, driving a surge in shipping rates.
Investors are also anxiously waiting to see any possible more supply disruptions as Donald Trump takes office next Monday.
"Mounting supply risks continue to provide broad support to oil prices," ING analysts wrote in a research note, adding the incoming Donald Trump administration is expected to take a tough stance on Iran and Venezuela, the two main suppliers of crude oil.
Better demand expectations also lent some support to the oil market with renewed hopes of interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve after data showed easing inflation in the world's biggest economy.
Inflation is likely to continue to ease and possibly allow the US central bank to cut interest rates sooner and faster than expected, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, China's economic data on Friday showed higher-than-expected economic growth for the fourth quarter and for the full year 2024, as a flurry of stimulus measures came into effect.
However, China's oil refinery throughput in 2024 fell for the first time in more than two decades barring the pandemic-hit year of 2022, government data showed on Friday, as plants pruned output in response to stagnant fuel demand and depressed margins.
Also weighing on the market was that Yemen's maritime security officials said the Houthi militia is expected to announce a halt in its attacks on ships in the Red Sea, after a ceasefire deal in the war in Gaza between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.
The attacks have disrupted global shipping, forcing firms to make longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa for more than a year.