Saudi EXIM Bank Gets Organizationally Linked to National Development Fund

 EXIM Bank seeks to improve the efficiency of the export environment. (Asharq Al-Awsat).
EXIM Bank seeks to improve the efficiency of the export environment. (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Saudi EXIM Bank Gets Organizationally Linked to National Development Fund

 EXIM Bank seeks to improve the efficiency of the export environment. (Asharq Al-Awsat).
EXIM Bank seeks to improve the efficiency of the export environment. (Asharq Al-Awsat).

Official information revealed that a higher approval was issued for the Saudi Export-Import Bank (EXIM) to be linked organizationally with the National Development Fund, after the fund’s board of directors adopted the decision earlier this year.

Information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat revealed that the Council of Economic and Development Affairs reported that the Committee of Experts in the Saudi Council of Ministers studied the matter in coordination with representatives from both sides, and approved the bank’s organizational linking with the fund.

Last year, the Council of Ministers approved the association of the Saudi Export-Import Bank with the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, provided that the bank, within six months of assuming its duties, study the suitability of its connection with the National Development Fund, present the results of the study and complete the required measures accordingly.

EXIM Bank provides financial and other assistance to importers and exporters of the Kingdom and coordinates with other institutions that work in the import-export sector.

The bank seeks to improve the efficiency of the export environment and export supporting services, increase the knowledge of export practice and develop the relevant human capital, increase the visibility of Saudi offerings in target markets and to potential buyers and facilitate business matching between exporters and potential buyers and partners.

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef said that the Saudi Export-Import Bank was an important tributary that supports exporters and importers by providing credit solutions that contribute to accelerating and facilitating export operations in the private sector and overcoming the obstacles facing this important activity, with the aim of increasing the impact the economy of non-oil exports in the gross domestic product.



Oil Climbs $1 as Price Drop Triggers Buying; Oversupply Worries Weigh

FILE PHOTO: An oil pumpjack operates near Williston, North Dakota January 23, 2015. REUTERS/Andrew Cullen/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pumpjack operates near Williston, North Dakota January 23, 2015. REUTERS/Andrew Cullen/File Photo
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Oil Climbs $1 as Price Drop Triggers Buying; Oversupply Worries Weigh

FILE PHOTO: An oil pumpjack operates near Williston, North Dakota January 23, 2015. REUTERS/Andrew Cullen/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pumpjack operates near Williston, North Dakota January 23, 2015. REUTERS/Andrew Cullen/File Photo

Oil gained more than $1 per barrel on Tuesday, rebounding on technical factors and bargain hunting after a decision by OPEC+ to boost output sent prices down the previous session, although concerns about the market surplus outlook persisted.

Brent crude futures rose $1.15 to $61.38 a barrel by 0623 GMT, the first time gain after six consecutive declines, while US West Texas Intermediate crude added $1.11 to $58.24 a barrel.

Both benchmarks had settled at their lowest since February 2021 on Monday, driven by an OPEC+ decision over the weekend to further speed up oil production hikes for a second consecutive month.

"Today’s slight rebound in oil prices appears more technical than fundamental," said Yeap Jun Rong, a market strategist at IG. "Persistent headwinds including a pivotal shift in OPEC+ production strategy, uncertain demand amid US tariff risks, and price forecast downgrades are continuing to weigh on the broader price movement."

Driven by expectations that production will exceed consumption, oil has lost over 10% in six straight sessions and dipped over 20% since April when US President Donald Trump's tariff shocks prompted increased bets on a slowdown in the global economy.

The return of Chinese market participants after a five-day public holiday since May 1 was seen supporting prices on Tuesday.

"China also reopened today, and being the largest importer, buyers would have likely jumped to secure oil at current low levels," said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.

Also lending some support was data showing a pick-up in services sector's growth in the US, the world's major oil consumer, as orders increased.

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said on Monday its nonmanufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) increased to 51.6 last month from 50.8 in March. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast the services PMI dipping to 50.2.

The US Federal Reserve will likely leave interest rates unchanged on Wednesday as tariffs roil the economic outlook.

Barclays lowered its Brent crude forecast on Monday by $4 to $70 a barrel for 2025 and set its 2026 estimate at $62 a barrel, citing "a rocky road ahead for fundamentals" amid escalating trade tensions and OPEC+'s pivot in its production strategy.

Goldman Sachs also lowered its oil price forecast on Monday by $2-3 per barrel, as they now expect another 400,000 barrels per day production increase by OPEC+ in July.