ACWA Power Signs MoU with Saudi EXIM

Eng. Saad al-Khalb and Mohammad Abunayyan during the signing of the MoU. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Eng. Saad al-Khalb and Mohammad Abunayyan during the signing of the MoU. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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ACWA Power Signs MoU with Saudi EXIM

Eng. Saad al-Khalb and Mohammad Abunayyan during the signing of the MoU. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Eng. Saad al-Khalb and Mohammad Abunayyan during the signing of the MoU. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

ACWA Power, a leading developer, investor and operator of power generation, desalinated water and green hydrogen plants, signed on Monday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM).

The agreement involves knowledge transfer in credit issuance, with the objective of facilitating and growing Saudi exports and overseas investments by Saudi institutions and organizations.

The MoU will also bolster the growth of local content and Saudi exports in international projects and capital investments overseas, which will, in turn, create new jobs and foster economic growth in the Kingdom and abroad.

“Saudi EXIM is working to expand its partnerships with local and international entities to support and diversify innovative financing products and credit solutions that meet the objectives of our partners and beneficiaries,” said Eng. Saad al-Khalb, the CEO of Saudi EXIM.

“These developments will enhance the competitiveness of Saudi products, increase the economic impact of non-oil exports on the GDP, and reinforce the growth of the alternative economy in support of the Vision 2030 goals of building a prosperous and sustainable economy.”

“ACWA Power is a national champion with extensive expertise in project finance, including working with export credit agencies from across the world,” said ACWA Power Chairman Mohammad Abunayyan.

“We have firsthand experience in driving knowledge transfer and using it effectively to build national project financing capabilities.”

“We value this agreement with Saudi EXIM and look forward to partnering with their teams on our projects, as we continue on delivering solutions that create economic benefits within the country and support the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 goals,” he added.

Saudi EXIM provides export financing, guarantees, credit insurance and other facilities to enhance confidence in Saudi exports and facilitate entry into new markets.

The organization was conceptualized under the framework of Vision 2030, under the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, to diversify the Kingdom’s economy, expand its non-oil exports, and increase the ability of Saudi companies to compete in global markets in diverse sectors.



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.