Sudan Drops Petrol, Diesel Prices

Sudan announced the second reduction in fuel prices in a month. (Reuters)
Sudan announced the second reduction in fuel prices in a month. (Reuters)
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Sudan Drops Petrol, Diesel Prices

Sudan announced the second reduction in fuel prices in a month. (Reuters)
Sudan announced the second reduction in fuel prices in a month. (Reuters)

Sudanese authorities announced the reduction of fuel prices following their monthly review of local production and developments in global oil production.

Petrol prices fell on Tuesday from SDG700 to SDG522 per liter, while diesel prices decreased slightly from SDG687 to SDG672 per liter.

Up until August, Sudan had the fourth highest price of gasoline per liter in the Arab world.

The transitional government, dismissed in June last year, approved the full liberalization of fuel prices as part of a package of requirements of international financial institutions to relieve Sudan's $60 billion debt.

It is the second devaluation in less than a month and two years after the government adopted an economic reform policy and devalued the Sudanese pound. It is expected to be reflected in other commodities whose prices are rising due to the high cost of transportation.

The state spends $1 billion annually to subsidize fuel prices.

The government believes that the liberalization of fuel prices limits smuggling, reduces inflation, eliminates markups, and paves the way for the state to support citizens in health, education, and infrastructure services.

Domestic production covers about 70 percent of gasoline and cooking gas and 40 percent of gasoline, and imports cover the deficit.

Meanwhile, Sudan's Central Bureau of Statistics announced that annual inflation dropped from 125.41 percent in July to 117.42 percent in August.

Last month, the Ministry of Finance announced an increase in the exchange rate of foreign currencies in the customs system and raised the dollar from SDG445 to SDG564, which hindered exports and imports and reduced government revenues to about half.

The army's measures to seize power in the country last year led to the halt of billions of dollars in international financial aid to Sudan earmarked to mitigate the effects of economic reforms on the citizens. The resumption of aid is contingent upon the return of a civilian-led government.



Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions

Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions
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Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions

Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions

Oil prices climbed on Tuesday reversing earlier declines, as fears of tighter Russian and Iranian supply due to escalating Western sanctions lent support.

Brent futures were up 61 cents, or 0.80%, to $76.91 a barrel at 1119 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 46 cents, or 0.63%, to $74.02.

It seems market participants have started to price in some small supply disruption risks on Iranian crude exports to China, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

In China, Shandong Port Group issued a notice on Monday banning US sanctioned oil vessels from its network of ports, according to three traders, potentially restricting blacklisted vessels from major energy terminals on China's east coast.

Shandong Port Group oversees major ports on China's east coast, including Qingdao, Rizhao and Yantai, which are major terminals for importing sanctioned oil.

Meanwhile, cold weather in the US and Europe has boosted heating oil demand, providing further support for prices.

However, oil price gains were capped by global economic data.

Euro zone inflation

accelerated

in December, an unwelcome but anticipated blip that is unlikely to derail further interest rate cuts from the European Central Bank.

"Higher inflation in Germany raised suggestions that the ECB may not be able to cut rates as fast as hoped across the Eurozone, while US manufactured good orders fell in November," Ashley Kelty, an analyst at Panmure Liberum said.

Technical indicators for oil futures are now in overbought territory, and sellers are keen to step in once again to take advantage of the strength, tempering additional price advances, said Harry Tchilinguirian, head of research at Onyx Capital Group.

Market participants are waiting for more data this week, such as the US December non-farm payrolls report on Friday, for clues on US interest rate policy and the oil demand outlook.