Dhaman: Arab Countries See 44% Increase in Trade, Investment Insurance Operations

Dhaman held the 50th meeting of its board of shareholders in Rabat on Saturday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dhaman held the 50th meeting of its board of shareholders in Rabat on Saturday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Dhaman: Arab Countries See 44% Increase in Trade, Investment Insurance Operations

Dhaman held the 50th meeting of its board of shareholders in Rabat on Saturday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dhaman held the 50th meeting of its board of shareholders in Rabat on Saturday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Arab Investment & Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Dhaman) said that the total value of intra-Arab trade, finance and investment insurance services increased by 44 percent to reach around $3 billion in 2022, compared to about $2.1 billion in 2021.

Speaking on behalf of the chairman of Dhaman board of directors, Dr. Naif bin Abdul Rahman Al-Shammari, at the 50th meeting of Dhaman board of shareholders in Rabat on Saturday, Board Member Ambassador Jamal Al-Ghanim said the total value of insurance premiums increased by 7.97 percent to more than $7.6 million compared to their value in 2021.

The Corporation’s balance sheet for the past year showed an increase in the Dhaman assets to $536.2 million, and a rise in property rights to about $508.5 million, while total revenues amounted to about $16.2 million and profits approached $6 million, according to a statement on Saturday.

Al-Shammari pointed to the institution’s achievements in 2022, including efforts to market insurance services, the signing of four memorandums of understanding with Arab and international bodies, and the development of the institution’s role in the field of research and awareness raising.

Based in Kuwait, the Dhaman was established in 1974 as a pan-Arab organization owned by the governments of Arab states and 4 Arab financial institutions, and provides multilateral investment guarantee.

Its objectives include promoting the flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Arab countries by providing political risk insurance to Arab and non-Arab investors and lenders, enhancing Arab exports through political and commercial risk insurance to Arab exporters and supporting domestic trade and economic growth.



Oil Prices Stable on Monday as Data Offsets Surplus Concerns

FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
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Oil Prices Stable on Monday as Data Offsets Surplus Concerns

FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)

Oil prices stabilized on Monday after losses last week as lower-than-expected US inflation data offset investors' concerns about a supply surplus next year.

Brent crude futures were down by 38 cents, or 0.52%, to $72.56 a barrel by 1300 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 34 cents, or 0.49%, to $69.12 per barrel.

Oil prices rose in early trading after data on Friday that showed cooling US inflation helped alleviate investors' concerns after the Federal Reserve interest rate cut last week, IG markets analyst Tony Sycamore said, Reuters reported.

"I think the US Senate passing legislation to end the brief shutdown over the weekend has helped," he added.

But gains were reversed by a stronger US dollar, UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo told Reuters.

"With the US dollar changing from weaker to stronger, oil prices have given up earlier gains," he said.

The dollar was hovering around two-year highs on Monday morning, after hitting that milestone on Friday.

Brent futures fell by around 2.1% last week, while WTI futures lost 2.6%, on concerns about global economic growth and oil demand after the US central bank signalled caution over further easing of monetary policy. Research from Asia's top refiner Sinopec pointing to China's oil consumption peaking in 2027 also weighed on prices.

Macquarie analysts projected a growing supply surplus for next year, which will hold Brent prices to an average of $70.50 a barrel, down from this year's average of $79.64, they said in a December report.

Concerns about European supply eased on reports the Druzhba pipeline, which sends Russian and Kazakh oil to Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Germany, has restarted after halting on Thursday due to technical problems at a Russian pumping station.

US President-elect Donald Trump on Friday urged the European Union to increase US oil and gas imports or face tariffs on the bloc's exports.

Trump also threatened to reassert US control over the Panama Canal on Sunday, accusing Panama of charging excessive rates to use the Central American passage and drawing a sharp rebuke from Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino.