Saudi Arabia Forges Partnerships to Establish Local Aerospace Industry

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Forges Partnerships to Establish Local Aerospace Industry

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi regulatory authorities announced their approval of joint ventures in the aviation structure manufacturing sector, which will seek to establish the first local industry for aviation structures in the Kingdom.

The General Authority for Competition announced its approval of two joint projects for the manufacture of aviation metal structures and metal castings products in Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number of joint projects approved by the Authority to 10 since the beginning of 2021.

The authority stated that it had issued a no-objection decision to establish a joint venture between the Saudi Arabian Industrial Investments Company (Dussur), the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and French FIGEAC Aero in the field of manufacturing of aircraft components, to become the first joint venture to build a facility in the Kingdom to manufacture aviation structures.

In the same context, the General Authority for Competition issued a no-objection decision to establish a joint venture between Dussur, Saudi Aramco Development Company and Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction to supply castings and forgings, where Dussur will own 70 percent, Saudi Aramco Development Company 15 percent, and Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction 15 percent of the project’s capital.



Oil Set for Weekly Gains on Colder Weather, Chinese Policy Support

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
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Oil Set for Weekly Gains on Colder Weather, Chinese Policy Support

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

Oil prices held steady on Friday, remaining poised for weekly gains after closing the previous session at their highest in more than two months, underpinned by colder European and US weather and additional economic stimulus flagged by China.

Brent crude futures were down 9 cents at $75.84 a barrel by 1212 GMT after settling on Thursday at the highest level since Oct. 25. US West Texas Intermediate crude dipped by 6 cents to $73.07, with Thursday's close its highest since Oct. 14.

Brent was on track for a 2.2% weekly gain while WTI was set for a 3.5% increase, Reuters reported.

Signs of Chinese economic fragility heightened expectations of policy measures to boost growth in the world’s top oil importer.

"As China's economic trajectory is poised to play a pivotal role in 2025, hopes are pinned on government stimulus measures to drive increased consumption and bolster oil demand growth in the months ahead," said StoneX analyst Alex Hodes.

China announced a couple of new measures to boost growth for its fragile economy this week with a surprise move to raise wages for government workers and announcement of a sharp increase in funding from ultra-long treasury bonds. The additional funding is to be used to spur business investment and consumer-boosting initiatives.

Oil is likely to have gained some price support from expected increased demand for heating oil after forecasts for colder weather in some regions.

"Oil demand is likely benefiting from cold temperatures across Europe and the US," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Also supporting prices this week, US crude stockpiles dropped by 1.2 million barrels to 415.6 million barrels, EIA data showed.

Meanwhile, US gasoline and distillate inventories jumped as refineries ramped up output, though fuel demand hit a two-year low.