Saudi Arabia, Greece Discuss Qualitative Investment Opportunities

Athens hosted a series of meetings, including the Saudi-Greek Investment Forum, as part of efforts to develop bilateral economic relationship. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Athens hosted a series of meetings, including the Saudi-Greek Investment Forum, as part of efforts to develop bilateral economic relationship. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia, Greece Discuss Qualitative Investment Opportunities

Athens hosted a series of meetings, including the Saudi-Greek Investment Forum, as part of efforts to develop bilateral economic relationship. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Athens hosted a series of meetings, including the Saudi-Greek Investment Forum, as part of efforts to develop bilateral economic relationship. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

In an effort to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation, the Saudi-Greek Investment Forum convened on Monday in Athens, in the presence of leaders and representatives of the two countries’ public and private sectors.

The forum was chaired by Saudi Investment Minister Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, Greek Minister of Development and Investment Adonis Georgiadis, and Kostas Fragogiannis Konstantinos, Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy Economic and Openness.

Al-Falih is heading a high-level delegation from the public and private sectors and businessmen on an official visit to Greece, from May 29 -31, with the aim of expanding strategic partnership and strengthening investment and trade relations.

On the sidelines of the visit, the Saudi minister met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and discussed with Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Tourism, investment opportunities in the tourism sector.

Last year, the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Hellenic Enterprises signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Saudi-Greek Business Council, in a step that reflects the two countries’ determination to enhance bilateral trade and increase the volume of trade and investment cooperation.

The Council seeks to open new qualitative areas for economic cooperation, facilitate continuous interaction between the business sectors of the two countries and remove the relevant challenges and obstacles.

It also works to exchange information on available markets and investment opportunities, enable partnerships, provide recommendations to the competent authorities to improve economic relations and encourage participation in exhibitions and forums.



OPEC Again Cuts 2024, 2025 Oil Demand Growth Forecasts

The OPEC logo. Reuters
The OPEC logo. Reuters
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OPEC Again Cuts 2024, 2025 Oil Demand Growth Forecasts

The OPEC logo. Reuters
The OPEC logo. Reuters

OPEC cut its forecast for global oil demand growth this year and next on Tuesday, highlighting weakness in China, India and other regions, marking the producer group's fourth consecutive downward revision in the 2024 outlook.

The weaker outlook highlights the challenge facing OPEC+, which comprises the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies such as Russia, which earlier this month postponed a plan to start raising output in December against a backdrop of falling prices.

In a monthly report on Tuesday, OPEC said world oil demand would rise by 1.82 million barrels per day in 2024, down from growth of 1.93 million bpd forecast last month. Until August, OPEC had kept the outlook unchanged since its first forecast in July 2023.

In the report, OPEC also cut its 2025 global demand growth estimate to 1.54 million bpd from 1.64 million bpd, Reuters.

China accounted for the bulk of the 2024 downgrade. OPEC trimmed its Chinese growth forecast to 450,000 bpd from 580,000 bpd and said diesel use in September fell year-on-year for a seventh consecutive month.

"Diesel has been under pressure from a slowdown in construction amid weak manufacturing activity, combined with the ongoing deployment of LNG-fuelled trucks," OPEC said with reference to China.

Oil pared gains after the report was issued, with Brent crude trading below $73 a barrel.

Forecasts on the strength of demand growth in 2024 vary widely, partly due to differences over demand from China and the pace of the world's switch to cleaner fuels.

OPEC is still at the top of industry estimates and has a long way to go to match the International Energy Agency's far lower view.

The IEA, which represents industrialised countries, sees demand growth of 860,000 bpd in 2024. The agency is scheduled to update its figures on Thursday.

- OUTPUT RISES

OPEC+ has implemented a series of output cuts since late 2022 to support prices, most of which are in place until the end of 2025.

The group was to start unwinding the most recent layer of cuts of 2.2 million bpd from December but said on Nov. 3 it will delay the plan for a month, as weak demand and rising supply outside the group maintain downward pressure on the market.

OPEC's output is also rising, the report showed, with Libyan production rebounding after being cut by unrest. OPEC+ pumped 40.34 million bpd in October, up 215,000 bpd from September. Iraq cut output to 4.07 million bpd, closer to its 4 million bpd quota.

As well as Iraq, OPEC has named Russia and Kazakhstan as among the OPEC+ countries which pumped above quotas.

Russia's output edged up in October by 9,000 bpd to about 9.01 million bpd, OPEC said, slightly above its quota.