Arrangements for Development of Saudi Investment Opportunities Committee

The Saudi Cabinet approved the organizational arrangements for a committee to identify and develop investment opportunities under the umbrella of the Supreme National Investment Committee. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Cabinet approved the organizational arrangements for a committee to identify and develop investment opportunities under the umbrella of the Supreme National Investment Committee. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
20

Arrangements for Development of Saudi Investment Opportunities Committee

The Saudi Cabinet approved the organizational arrangements for a committee to identify and develop investment opportunities under the umbrella of the Supreme National Investment Committee. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Cabinet approved the organizational arrangements for a committee to identify and develop investment opportunities under the umbrella of the Supreme National Investment Committee. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Cabinet on Tuesday approved the organizational arrangements for a committee to identify and develop investment opportunities under the umbrella of the Supreme National Investment Committee.

Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, stressed that the organizational arrangements for the Supreme National Investment Committee and its subcommittees, the Committee for Inventory and Development of Investment Opportunities and the National Incentives Committee, represent an integrated system and reflect the leadership efforts to achieve the second pillar of Vision 2030.

He added that these integrated committees will be concerned with achieving the objectives of national investment policies and priorities, as well as overcoming the challenges facing investments and investors, especially the qualitative and strategic sectors.

“Such committees will be the national reference for everything related to investment,” he said.

Al-Falih added that approval of organizational arrangements confirms that Vision 2030 is moving ahead with achieving its objectives.

“This contributes to achieving a qualitative leap, which will reflect positively on all economic and development aspects, including the development, diversification and sustainability of the economy, as well as the transfer and localization of technology, support of the local content development, and improvement of the quality of life. This also contributes to promoting innovation, and providing more job opportunities,” the minister said.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had previously launched the National Investment Strategy (NIS) as a key enabler to deliver the objectives of Vision 2030.

The NIS will contribute to the growth and diversification of the Kingdom’s economy, which, in turn, will achieve many Vision 2030’s goals, including raising the private sector’s contribution to GDP to 65%; increasing the contribution of FDI to GDP to 5.7%; increasing the contribution of non-oil exports to GDP from 16% to 50%; reducing the unemployment rate to 7%; and positioning the Kingdom among the top ten economies in the Global Competitiveness Index; by 2030.



Oil Prices Hold Steady on Support from US-China Trade Hopes

 FILE PHOTO: A pump jack operates near a gas turbine power plant in the Permian Basin oil field outside of Odessa, Texas, US February 18, 2025.  REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A pump jack operates near a gas turbine power plant in the Permian Basin oil field outside of Odessa, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo
TT
20

Oil Prices Hold Steady on Support from US-China Trade Hopes

 FILE PHOTO: A pump jack operates near a gas turbine power plant in the Permian Basin oil field outside of Odessa, Texas, US February 18, 2025.  REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A pump jack operates near a gas turbine power plant in the Permian Basin oil field outside of Odessa, Texas, US February 18, 2025. REUTERS/Eli Hartman/File Photo

Oil prices held steady on Thursday, supported by hopes of a breakthrough in looming trade talks between the US and China, the world's two largest oil consumers. Brent crude futures were up 43 cents, or 0.7%, at $61.55 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 49 cents, or 0.8% to $58.56 a barrel at 0803 GMT.

The market has almost stabilized at slightly above $61 a barrel, said SEB analyst Ole Hvalbye, which along with some optimism around the current tariff situation with talks due between the US and China, was providing support.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet with China's top economic official on May 10 in Switzerland for negotiations over a trade war that is disrupting the global economy. The countries are the world's two largest economies and the fallout from their trade dispute is likely to lower crude consumption growth. At the same time, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known as OPEC+, will increase its oil output, adding to pressure on prices.

Analysts at Citi Research lowered their three-month price forecast for Brent to $55 per barrel from $60 earlier, but maintained its long-term forecast of $60 a barrel this year.

A US-Iran nuclear deal could drive Brent prices down towards $50 per barrel on increased supply in the market, but if no deal were to happen, prices could go up to over $70, they added.

Overnight, the US Federal Reserve left the policy rate unchanged, but highlighted the risks of higher inflation and unemployment.

"The Fed signaled that rates will likely remain on hold until the effects of tariffs become clearer. This boosted the US dollar, which added to headwinds facing the broader commodity markets," said ING analysts in a report on Thursday.