Saudi Arabia Studies Impact of Key Activities on Competition

A Saudi initiative to study key sectors, including agricultural production and measure the impact of competition, Asharq Al-Awsat
A Saudi initiative to study key sectors, including agricultural production and measure the impact of competition, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Studies Impact of Key Activities on Competition

A Saudi initiative to study key sectors, including agricultural production and measure the impact of competition, Asharq Al-Awsat
A Saudi initiative to study key sectors, including agricultural production and measure the impact of competition, Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi General Authority for Competition has approved an initiative to study the agricultural and fish products sector, as well as the building and construction sector. The study will investigate the impact of establishments operating in the mentioned sectors on competition.

The Authority’s board of directors agreed to take action to investigate, gather evidence, and investigate two facilities operating in the public construction sector that may have colluded in bids and offers in a government project.

It also decided to file a criminal case against the two facilities for violating the competition law and its executive regulations.

This came during the 75th meeting of the board, headed by Dr. Ahmed Al-Khulaifi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Competition.

The meeting was held in the presence of the CEO and members of the board.

The Authority’s board of directors addressed several topics on its agenda, issued a number of decisions and directives, and approved entrusting the CEO with approving a number of the Authority’s policies, rules and manuals.

Moreover, the board reviewed the results of the study regulating the relationship between competition authorities and sectoral regulators, and the results of the investigation into collusion in a number of government projects with four establishments operating in the contracting and services sector.

In other news, the Federation of Saudi Chambers, represented by the National Entertainment Committee, signed a contract with a consulting firm to study and analyze the entertainment and leisure sector in Saudi Arabia.



Putin, Al-Sudani Discuss OPEC+ Coordination on Oil Price Stability

Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin
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Putin, Al-Sudani Discuss OPEC+ Coordination on Oil Price Stability

Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Thursday discussed the importance of coordination between OPEC and OPEC+ members on oil price stability in a manner that guarantees fair prices for exporters and consumers.

Putin held a phone call with al-Sudani during which they discussed the OPEC+ oil agreement and the situation in the Middle East, the Kremlin said.

The telephone conversation came days prior to an OPEC+ key meeting expected early next month.

Reuters said that OPEC+ may push back output increases again when it meets on Dec. 1 due to weak global oil demand, according to three OPEC+ sources familiar with the discussions. Ministers last shelved the increase for a month when they met virtually on Nov. 3.

In a statement, the Kremlin on Thursday said Putin and Al-Sudani touched upon various aspects of coordination as part of OPEC+, a format that helps maintain stability in the global oil market, and reaffirmed the importance of continuing to coordinate steps in this format.

The Middle East issues were also mentioned in light of the unprecedented escalation of tensions in the region, it added.

The parties also agreed on further contacts at various levels, the statement said.

Later, Al-Sudani’s office said the phone call touched on energy-related matters, highlighting the importance of coordination among all concerned countries within OPEC and the OPEC+ group to stabilize oil and gas prices, ensuring fair pricing for both producers and consumers.