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UAE, Oman Discuss Cooperation in Industrial Sector

Part of the Emirati-Omani meeting in Muscat (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
Part of the Emirati-Omani meeting in Muscat (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
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UAE, Oman Discuss Cooperation in Industrial Sector

Part of the Emirati-Omani meeting in Muscat (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
Part of the Emirati-Omani meeting in Muscat (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)

UAE and Oman discussed the importance of cooperation and investment in the industrial sector, advanced technology and quality infrastructure.

This came during the meeting held in Oman between the visiting Emirati delegation, led by Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, and Oman's Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef.

Jaber said the continued strength of the bilateral relations between the countries is a source of encouragement and pride, adding that he is looking forward to further enhancing cooperation in the areas of industry and advanced technology.

“Thanks to the vision and directives of our wise leadership, the UAE is moving rapidly to develop the industrial and advanced technology sectors in the country, investing in research and development and integrating 4IR concepts to achieve the key goals of boosting the national economy and achieving sustainable development,” he added.

For his part, Yousef underscored the importance of developing bilateral relations with the UAE, particularly in industrial sectors.

He pointed out that the visit of the Emirati delegation to the Sultanate reflects a determination in both countries to exchange views on expanding private-sector partnerships, investment opportunities and trade volumes between the UAE and Oman.

The Sultanate of Oman is among the top 10 trading partners of the UAE. The trade exchange volume between 2017 and 2020 totaled AED172 billion ($46.8 billion), which represents about 2.7 percent of UAE’s total foreign trade during this period, with a compound annual growth rate of about 5.7 percent – an average of AED43 billion per annum.

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Business

Qatar Posts $549 Mln First-quarter Budget Surplus

Qatari flag flutters in Doha - AAWSAT/File
Qatari flag flutters in Doha - AAWSAT/File
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Qatar Posts $549 Mln First-quarter Budget Surplus

Qatari flag flutters in Doha - AAWSAT/File
Qatari flag flutters in Doha - AAWSAT/File

Qatar, the world's second-largest LNG exporter, achieved a budget surplus of 2 billion riyals ($548.9 million) in the first quarter of 2024, which was used to reduce public debt, the finance ministry said on Sunday.

The state's total revenue for the period amounted to 53.4 billion riyals, down 22.1% from a year earlier, the ministry said, Reuters reported.

Qatar also recorded total public spending of 51.4 billion riyals in the quarter, up 5% year on year, the ministry added.

Business

Saudi Staffing Company SMASCO Announces Final IPO Price at 7.50 Riyals Per Share

Saudi Staffing Company SMASCO Announces Final IPO Price at 7.50 Riyals Per Share
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Saudi Staffing Company SMASCO Announces Final IPO Price at 7.50 Riyals Per Share

Saudi Staffing Company SMASCO Announces Final IPO Price at 7.50 Riyals Per Share

Saudi Arabian staffing company SMASCO announced its final IPO price at 7.50 riyals per share via the Saudi Exchange on Sunday.
The company aims to raise as much as 900 million riyals ($240 million) in its initial public offering on Riyadh's main bourse, it said earlier this month.
SMASCO plans to offer 120 million shares representing a 30% stake. Reuters reported.
The individual investors subscription process will begin next Sunday and end next Monday, the statement said, with 10% of total shares available to individual investors.

There have been a number of IPOs across the Gulf this year with Saudi flour mills company Modern Mills, UAE supermarket franchisee Spinneys, and Kuwait's BIG Holding coming to the market, among others.
The growth of IPOs in the region comes as part of broad plans to deepen capital markets, grow the private sector and attract investment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business

Saudi Aviation Sector Contributes $53 Bln to Economy

A civilian aircraft flies over the skies of the Saudi capital (Riyadh Air)
A civilian aircraft flies over the skies of the Saudi capital (Riyadh Air)
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Saudi Aviation Sector Contributes $53 Bln to Economy

A civilian aircraft flies over the skies of the Saudi capital (Riyadh Air)
A civilian aircraft flies over the skies of the Saudi capital (Riyadh Air)

Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation sector is playing a crucial role in driving the Kingdom’s economic growth, contributing $53 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

This data was revealed in the inaugural 2024 State of Aviation Report, which GACA will launch at the Future Aviation Forum, detailing the contribution of the aviation sector to Saudi Arabia’s economic development and Vision 2030 transformation program.

The forum, held under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, will take place from May 20-22 in Riyadh.

Transport Minister and Chairman of GACA Saleh Al-Jasser emphasized the significant strides made by Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector in international metrics, aligning with the transformative goals of Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.

These advancements offer unprecedented opportunities in the aviation sector.

The report, developed by GACA in line with its strategic regulatory mandate, highlights that the Saudi aviation sector contributes $20.8 billion through aviation-related activities, enabling a further estimated $32.2 billion in tourism economic activity.

Moreover, aviation supports 241,000 jobs, and a further estimated 717,000 jobs in the tourism sector.

The report also captures the transformation of Saudi aviation, with Saudi Arabia outperforming global aviation sector growth rates in 2023 – achieving 123% of international pre-pandemic seat capacity compared with a global and regional average recovery rate of 90% and 95% respectively, with 2023 growth amounting to 26% as total passenger volumes reached 111.7 million.

Hosted by GACA under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the Future Aviation Forum will showcase investment opportunities exceeding $100 billion, aimed at realizing Vision 2030 objectives to position Saudi Arabia as a leading logistics hub in the Middle East.

This includes $50 billion in airport investments and nearly $40 billion in new aircraft orders, with the remaining $10 billion allocated to various projects, including $5 billion for logistics zones at major airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.

The event will convene more than 5,000 aviation experts and leaders from more than 100 countries to shape the future of aviation, including executives from international carriers, all major global manufacturers, airport executives, industry leaders and regulators.

Business

Saudi Rasan to Sell Shares on Tadawul

Rasan’s pavilion at the Leap 24 international conference in Riyadh (from the company’s account on X)
Rasan’s pavilion at the Leap 24 international conference in Riyadh (from the company’s account on X)
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Saudi Rasan to Sell Shares on Tadawul

Rasan’s pavilion at the Leap 24 international conference in Riyadh (from the company’s account on X)
Rasan’s pavilion at the Leap 24 international conference in Riyadh (from the company’s account on X)

The Saudi Rasan Information Technology Company intends to offer 22.74 million shares on the Tadawul Stock Exchange, 10 percent of which will be allocated to individual subscribers, at the price of SAR 35-37 riyals per share.

MAGNiTT research company estimated that the market value of Rasan would reach around $750 million, after the expected offering of 30 percent of its capital in the main Saudi market (Tadawul), thus becoming one of the sector’s largest companies in the region.

Rasan is one of 216 new fintech companies that have been established in Saudi Arabia since 2016. The cumulative total of venture capital investments in this sector exceeded SAR 6.9 billion ($1.84 billion).

The company, which was founded in 2016 and operates in the financial and insurance technology sectors, achieved a compound annual growth in net profit at a rate of 332 percent between 2020 and 2023. Its revenues at the end of 2023 amounted to SAR 256 million ($68.3 million).

Rasan operates online insurance platforms such as Tameeni and Treza. In 2021 it closed an investment round of SAR 90 million led by Impact46, a Saudi alternative asset manager.

The insurance sector in Saudi Arabia has grown over the past year, as the profits of listed insurance companies increased during the first quarter of 2024 by 50 percent compared to the same period last year, to record SAR 910 million ($242 million).

On the other hand, the Rasan IPO is the seventh and last in the month of May, during which new listings were active on the Saudi Financial Market (Tadawul). The period for individuals to subscribe to the company’s shares begins on Wednesday May 29, and continues until the evening of the following day.

Saudi Arabia is looking to increase the pace of listings in the financial market, by offering 24 companies over the course of 2024, according to the annual report of the Financial Sector Development Program of Vision 2030.

Business

Russian Court Seizes Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank Assets

FILE PHOTO: An exterior view shows an office building, which houses the Russian headquarters of Deutsche Bank, in Moscow, Russia, September 17, 2015. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An exterior view shows an office building, which houses the Russian headquarters of Deutsche Bank, in Moscow, Russia, September 17, 2015. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev/File Photo
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Russian Court Seizes Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank Assets

FILE PHOTO: An exterior view shows an office building, which houses the Russian headquarters of Deutsche Bank, in Moscow, Russia, September 17, 2015. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An exterior view shows an office building, which houses the Russian headquarters of Deutsche Bank, in Moscow, Russia, September 17, 2015. REUTERS/Maxim Zmeyev/File Photo

A Russian court has ordered that Deutsche Bank's and Commerzbank's assets, accounts, property and shares be seized in Russia as part of a lawsuit involving the German banks, court documents showed.
The banks were among the guarantor lenders under a contract for the construction of a gas processing plant in Russia with Germany's Linde, which was terminated due to Western sanctions, Reuters reported.
The lawsuits were filed by St Petersburg-based RusChemAlliance, a joint venture 50% owned by Russian gas giant Gazprom which is the operator of the project.
The St Petersburg arbitration court has barred Deutsche Bank from exercising its 100% interest in the authorized capital of its Russian subsidiary, as well as Deutsche Bank Technology Center LLC.
The court has also imposed the seizure of up to 238.6 million euros ($259 million) in securities, real estate and bank accounts of Deutsche Bank, as well as its Russian subsidiary and Deutsche Bank Technology Center.
Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt said it had already provisioned around 260 million euros for the case.
"We will need to see how this claim is implemented by the Russian courts and assess the immediate operational impact in Russia," the bank said in a statement.
The court also seized Commerzbank's assets worth 93.7 million euros ($101.85 million) as well as securities and the bank's building in central Moscow.
Commerzbank did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Russian court on Friday ordered UniCredit's assets, accounts and property, as well as shares in two subsidiaries, be seized as part of a parallel lawsuit.

Business

Minister of Environment Leads Saudi Delegation at 10th World Water Forum

Minister of Environment Leads Saudi Delegation at 10th World Water Forum
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Minister of Environment Leads Saudi Delegation at 10th World Water Forum

Minister of Environment Leads Saudi Delegation at 10th World Water Forum

Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen Alfadley is leading the Kingdom's delegation to the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia.

The Saudi delegation, which represents the water sector, will present its efforts to develop the water sector, as well as its regional and international contribution in the field through a pavilion.

Saudi Arabia will engage in events and a special session focused on hosting the 11th World Water Forum 2027 in Riyadh under the theme "Action for a Better Tomorrow."

Hosting the event aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and boost its regional and global efforts and role in the water sector. These efforts included the announcement by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, of the establishment of a global water organization in Riyadh.

The event in Bali is held under the theme "Water for Shared Prosperity." It will tackle six sub-themes: Water Security and Prosperity; Water for Humans and Nature; Disaster Risk Reduction and Management; Governance, Cooperation, and Hydro-diplomacy; Sustainable Water Finance; and Knowledge and Innovation.

Indonesia expects 180 countries and representatives from 250 organizations to attend the forum that concludes on May 25.

The World Water Forum is the largest international event on water. It brings together all levels of participants from different areas, including politics, institutions, academia, civil society, and the private sector.

Business

Saudi EXIM Signs Line of Credit Agreement with Ziraat Bank of Türkiye

Saudi EXIM chief executive Saad bin Abdulaziz AlKhalb signed the agreement in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye. - SPA
Saudi EXIM chief executive Saad bin Abdulaziz AlKhalb signed the agreement in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye. - SPA
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Saudi EXIM Signs Line of Credit Agreement with Ziraat Bank of Türkiye

Saudi EXIM chief executive Saad bin Abdulaziz AlKhalb signed the agreement in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye. - SPA
Saudi EXIM chief executive Saad bin Abdulaziz AlKhalb signed the agreement in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye. - SPA

The Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM) announced it signed a line of credit agreement worth $100 million with the Turkish Ziraat Bank, which aims at financing the export activities of Saudi non-oil products and services to Turkish markets.
The agreement comes within the EXIM’s efforts to empower the non-oil national economy and enhance the competitiveness of Saudi products in international markets, according to SPA.
Saudi EXIM chief executive Saad bin Abdulaziz AlKhalb signed the agreement in Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye.
AlKhalb explained that the agreement comes within the framework of the bank’s efforts to strengthen international trade relations to open new markets for Saudi exporters to expand their activities and increase Saudi products and services to global markets, underlying the bank’s endeavor to achieve the targets of the Saudi Vision 2030 in creating a diversified and sustainable economy, maximizing the economic impact of export activities, and increasing Its contribution to non-oil gross domestic product (GDP) to 50% by 2030.

Business

Saudi Aramco Signs MoUs with US firms Aeroseal, Spiritus and Rondo

(FILES) This picture shows Aramco tower at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh on April 16, 2023. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)
(FILES) This picture shows Aramco tower at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh on April 16, 2023. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)
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Saudi Aramco Signs MoUs with US firms Aeroseal, Spiritus and Rondo

(FILES) This picture shows Aramco tower at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh on April 16, 2023. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)
(FILES) This picture shows Aramco tower at the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh on April 16, 2023. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP)

Saudi Aramco signed three memorandums of understanding (MOU) with US companies Aeroseal, Spiritus and Rondo, the state-owned oil giant said on Friday.

Under the MoU the companies will develop potential lower-carbon energy solutions, Aramco's statement said.

Aramco and Aeroseal agreed to deploy Aeroseal’s technology to expand its fleet and commercialize the technology in novel applications such as gas pipelines, the statement said.

With Spiritus, Aramco has agreed to explore opportunities in direct air capture to reduce energy needs.

The statement added that Aramco and Rondo agreed to explore deployment of heat batteries in Aramco’s global facilities to reduce operating costs and cut emissions.

The MoUs were signed during the visit of US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to Saudi Arabia.

Business

Morocco to Impose Anti-dumping Duty on Turkish Electric Ovens

A man waves a Turkish flag - REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
A man waves a Turkish flag - REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
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Morocco to Impose Anti-dumping Duty on Turkish Electric Ovens

A man waves a Turkish flag - REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
A man waves a Turkish flag - REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

Morocco's trade ministry plans to introduce an anti-dumping duty on electric ovens imported from Türkiye that would amount to 62% to protect the local market, a ministry source said on Friday.

However, Turkish brand ITIMAT will be subject to an import duty of 34%, the source said.

The dumping margin of Turkish oven makers stood at up to 71.4%, while that of ITIMAT was at 34%, the ministry said on its website.

Morocco and Türkiye signed a free trade agreement in 2004, Reuters reported.

The deal was amended in 2020 to introduce import duties on some Turkish goods following complaints by Moroccan textile manufacturers.

Business

Gold Heads for Second Weekly Gain, Extending Support to Silver and Platinum

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
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Gold Heads for Second Weekly Gain, Extending Support to Silver and Platinum

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold prices were on track for a second consecutive weekly gain on Friday due to improved interest rate cut expectations, providing support to silver and platinum, which are up 5.6% and 6.3%, respectively, this week.

Spot gold rose 0.5% to $2,387.85 per ounce by 1141 GMT. Bullion prices are up 1% so far this week after hitting a one-month high on Thursday.

"Signs that inflation may be slowing down raise the prospect of interest rate cuts in the coming months, which tend to support gold and silver prices," said Frank Watson, market analyst at Kinesis Money, Reuters reported.

On the demand side, expectations of continuing strong demand in China got a boost after the country announced more efforts to stabilize its crisis-hit property sector.

Demand in China, which contributed to the gold price rally in recent months, is becoming more crucial as the market is waiting to see if high gold prices prompt some central banks to slow down purchases and as outflows from physically backed gold exchange-traded funds continue.

Global central banks actively bought gold in 2022-2023, but the largest purchaser among them, China's central bank slowed down buying in April when spot gold prices hit a record high of $2,431.29.

"Central banks these days are much more nuanced in their buying behaviour and will alter the programme to be more opportunistic - that is to say buying on dips and scaling back on rallies," independent analyst Ross Norman said.

In the physical market, dealers were offering lower premiums in China and deeper discounts in India this week.

On the supply side, the 15% increase in gold price since the start of 2024 keeps margins robust for gold miners. According to the World Gold Council, gold miners' global average total expenses were at $1,342 per ounce in the last quarter of 2023.

Meanwhile, silver and platinum got support from higher prices for gold and base metals.

Spot silver rose 0.5% to $29.74 per ounce after hitting a more than three-year high and flirting with a major resistance level of $30 in the previous session.

Platinum lost 0.3% to $1,054.54, after hitting a one-year high on Thursday. The metal is up 6.3% so far this week due to continued structural deficits.

Palladium dropped 0.8% to $985.50, under pressure from rising market share of electric vehicles.