Investment Strategy to Support Saudi Economy’s Competitiveness at Global Level

 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman smiles during a televised interview in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 27, 2021. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman smiles during a televised interview in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 27, 2021. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS
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Investment Strategy to Support Saudi Economy’s Competitiveness at Global Level

 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman smiles during a televised interview in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 27, 2021. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman smiles during a televised interview in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 27, 2021. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS

Saudi economic experts underlined the importance of the National Investment Strategy launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, saying that it would contribute to raising the competitiveness of the Saudi economy globally, and would translate the capabilities and opportunities available in the Kingdom into a practical investment reality.

Member of the Trade and Investment Committee in the Shura Council, Dr. Faisal Al Fadel, said that the strategy had fundamental economic dimensions that support Saudi Vision 2030.

He noted that Saudi Arabia’s economy enjoyed abundant natural resources and a strategic location in the heart of the main trade routes between the three continents, in addition to the major economic reforms that are currently underway.

This diversity of resources and particular location attracts local and foreign investors, according to Fadel.

He added that the strategy would enhance the strength and position of the private sector at the regional and global levels, which would encourage foreign companies to support the growth of the sector to become a positive contributor to the domestic product.

Dr. Osama Al-Obaidi, consultant and professor of economic and international law at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, said that Saudi Arabia enjoyed huge investment capabilities, adding that the strategy announced by the Crown Prince on Monday would seek to translate this great potential into practical actions.

According to Al-Obaidi, the strategy would contribute to increasing Saudi economic growth and diversifying its sources, which would help achieve the goals of Vision 2030.

He also pointed to the development of the legislative environment and the increase in investment opportunities offered to local and foreign investors.



Oil Prices Held Down by Trump Tariff Uncertainty

FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)
FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)
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Oil Prices Held Down by Trump Tariff Uncertainty

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

Oil prices were little changed on Thursday, maintaining almost all of the previous session's losses on uncertainty over how US President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs and energy policies would affect global economic growth and energy demand.

Brent crude futures were up 18 cents at $79.18 a barrel by 1315 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) rose 14 cents to $75.58.

"Oil markets have given back some recent gains due to mixed drivers," said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at brokerage Phillip Nova.

"Key factors include expectations of increased US production under President Trump's pro-drilling policies and easing geopolitical stress in Gaza, lifting fears of further escalation in supply disruption from key producing regions."

The broader economic implications of US tariffs could further dampen global oil demand growth, she added, Reuters reported.

Trump has said he would add new tariffs to his sanctions threat against Russia if the country does not make a deal to end its war in Ukraine.

He also vowed to hit the European Union with tariffs and impose 25% tariffs against Canada and Mexico. On China, Trump said his administration was discussing a 10% punitive duty because fentanyl is being sent from there to the United States.

On Monday he declared a national energy emergency intended to provide him with the authority to reduce environmental restrictions on energy infrastructure and projects and ease permitting for new transmission and pipeline infrastructure.

There will be "more potential downward choppy movement in the oil market in the near term due to the Trump administration's lack of clarity on trade tariffs policy and impending higher oil supplies from the US", OANDA senior market analyst Kelvin Wong said in an email.

On the US oil inventory front, crude stocks rose by 958,000 barrels in the week ended Jan. 17, according to sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Wednesday.

Gasoline inventories rose by 3.23 million barrels and distillate stocks climbed by 1.88 million barrels, they said.