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 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
TT
20

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.