Ten Agreements Signed at Riyadh Supply Chain Conference

The Supply Chain Conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Supply Chain Conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Ten Agreements Signed at Riyadh Supply Chain Conference

The Supply Chain Conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Supply Chain Conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Supporting the Kingdom’s ambitions for becoming a global destination for logistics services, the Supply Chain Conference held in Riyadh witnessed the signing of ten agreements that bolster the position of Saudi supply chains in the face of geopolitical challenges.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia announced inaugurating 59 logistic zones to bolster supply chains and logistic services.

At the conference, Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Osama Al-Zamil spoke on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser.

In the delivered speech, Al-Jasser stressed that the transport and logistics system is working on developing legislation, improving the Kingdom’s business environment, and attracting investments and modern technologies to meet the needs of many sectors.

He said the logistics zones will enable the Kingdom to play a regional and global role.

A total of 18 industrial zones were chosen to expand their business scope to become a logistical industrial hub, the minister added.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s launch of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy (NTLS) has contributed in unifying the destination and charting the paths towards a brighter future for the Kingdom, Al-Jasser said.

He added that the NTLS has also empowered Saudi Arabia to be a global logistics center linking the three continents, in addition to the fact that it has enabled the Kingdom to be a model for sustainable transport.

The presence of integrated logistics services is an important factor to achieve the national targets of the industrial and mining sectors, noted Al-Jasser.

Khaled Al-Ghamdi, the official spokesman for the Supply Chain Conference, revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that 10 agreements were signed on the sidelines of the conference on Sunday.

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources had signed the deals with several companies, including “Al-Suwaidi” and “Al-Fanar.”

Moreover, the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and Bahri, the global leader in transport and logistics, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation across their supply chain operations.

Al-Ghamdi said that the agreement will enhance bilateral cooperation throughout their supply chain operations. It will also pave the way for greater supply chain sustainability and allow for the provision of innovative logistics services.



TotalEnergies Reportedly Considers Foray Into Copper Trading

FILED - 21 January 2022, Berlin: The logo of the energy company TotalEnergies is pictured at one of its gas stations in Berlin. Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa
FILED - 21 January 2022, Berlin: The logo of the energy company TotalEnergies is pictured at one of its gas stations in Berlin. Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa
TT

TotalEnergies Reportedly Considers Foray Into Copper Trading

FILED - 21 January 2022, Berlin: The logo of the energy company TotalEnergies is pictured at one of its gas stations in Berlin. Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa
FILED - 21 January 2022, Berlin: The logo of the energy company TotalEnergies is pictured at one of its gas stations in Berlin. Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa

France's TotalEnergies is considering a move into trading copper, expanding its oil trading operations into metals to capitalize on the global energy transition, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
The oil major has been "studying the case" for trading copper, Rahim Azouni, senior vice president of crude, fuel and derivatives trading, told a closed-door conference in London on Wednesday, the FT said.
Azouni said the company has not decided whether to make move, the newspaper said, citing people who had heard his remarks.
TotalEnergies did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment.
The company would be following Vitol, the world's top energy trader, which this year diversified into metals trading.
The energy transition, which includes electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies, will need large volumes of metals including aluminium, copper, nickel cobalt - providing lucrative opportunities for traders.