Saudi Aramco, Thailand’s PTT Sign MoU to Deepen Energy Cooperation

Officials of Saudi Aramco and Thailand’s PTT signing an MoU on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials of Saudi Aramco and Thailand’s PTT signing an MoU on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Aramco, Thailand’s PTT Sign MoU to Deepen Energy Cooperation

Officials of Saudi Aramco and Thailand’s PTT signing an MoU on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials of Saudi Aramco and Thailand’s PTT signing an MoU on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Aramco and Thailand’s PTT have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen energy cooperation in Thailand.

The MoU targets the supply and trading of crude oil, petrochemicals, and liquified natural gas (LNG).

It focuses on clean energy, carbon capture, and electric vehicles, and outlined potential collaboration across both upstream and downstream operations.

Other potential areas of activity include blue and green hydrogen, Aramco said.

The companies also aim to strengthen cooperation across crude oil sourcing and marketing of refining and petrochemical products.

Ibrahim al-Buainain, Aramco Vice President of Sales, Trading and Supply Planning, said the MoU is an opportunity to achieve the optimal benefit from the supply chain in several vital and rapidly growing business sectors and expand in the downstream sector in Asia, which is one of the main catalysts for global demand for energy and chemical products.

Both countries have been seeking to develop ties in the economic, trade, and investment fields to meet their future aspirations.

They restored diplomatic ties earlier this year during a visit to Riyadh by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

He held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

They agreed to restore ties and open a new chapter in relations after years of efforts to rebuild trust and friendship.

Both countries also agreed in March to strengthen economic ties and boost bilateral investment.

This came as Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Tariq al-Haidari discussed with Sathana Ayudhya, the Thai Chargé d'Affaires and head of the diplomatic mission at the Thai Embassy, opportunities for future cooperation, mainly in the tourism sector.

Talks tackled work to bolster public and private efforts to enhance bilateral relations and find a mechanism to increase economic and commercial cooperation.

They also discussed means of exploring investment fields and available opportunities under the Saudi Vision 2030, as well as development opportunities in Thailand, especially in the fields of green economy, renewable energy, environment, digital transformation, and cybersecurity.

Haidari underlined the private sector’s key role in developing ties with other countries, benefiting from investment opportunities, and overcoming obstacles hindering the implementation of joint commercial and industrial projects.



Saudi Arabia Makes History with Adoption of Riyadh Treaty on Design Law

Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Arabia Makes History with Adoption of Riyadh Treaty on Design Law

Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Photo of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has made history by uniting the 193 member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to adopt the Riyadh Treaty on Design Law. This landmark achievement, realized after two decades of deliberation, underscores the Kingdom’s leadership in enhancing the global intellectual property system.

The announcement came at the conclusion of the Riyadh Diplomatic Conference on the Design Law Treaty, a rare event for WIPO, which has not held a diplomatic conference outside Geneva for more than a decade. It was also the first such event hosted in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, representing the final stage of negotiations to establish an agreement aimed at simplifying and standardizing design protection procedures across member states.

Over the past two weeks, intensive discussions and negotiations among member states culminated in the adoption of the Riyadh Treaty, which commits signatory nations to a unified set of requirements for registering designs, ensuring consistent and streamlined procedures worldwide. The agreement is expected to have a significant positive impact on designers, enabling them to protect their creations more effectively and uniformly across international markets.

At a press conference held on Friday to mark the event’s conclusion, CEO of the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem highlighted the economic potential of the new protocol.

Responding to a question from Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Suwailem noted the substantial contributions of young Saudi men and women in creative design. He explained that the agreement will enable their designs to be formally protected, allowing them to enter markets as valuable, tradable assets.

He also emphasized the symbolic importance of naming the convention the Riyadh Treaty, stating that it reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing influence as a bridge between cultures and a global center for innovative initiatives.

The treaty lays critical legal foundations to support designers and drive innovation worldwide, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s vision of promoting international collaboration in the creative industries and underscoring its leadership in building a sustainable future for innovators.

The agreement also advances global efforts to enhance creativity, protect intellectual property, and stimulate innovation on a broader scale.

This achievement further strengthens Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for groundbreaking initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to nurturing creativity, safeguarding designers’ rights, and driving the development of creative industries on an international scale.

The Riyadh Diplomatic Conference, held from November 11 to 22, was hosted by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property and attracted high-ranking officials and decision-makers from WIPO member states.