Saudi Arabia Stresses Importance of Cooperation to Support Global Economic Recovery

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan speaks during the Second Meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Washington (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan speaks during the Second Meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Washington (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Importance of Cooperation to Support Global Economic Recovery

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan speaks during the Second Meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Washington (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan speaks during the Second Meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Washington (Asharq Al-Awsat).

Saudi Arabia underlined the importance of international cooperation to support global economic recovery and prevent negative repercussions amid the current international circumstances.

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammad Al-Jadaan revealed the Kingdom’s continuous efforts to support people and countries in need, including its recent provision of urgent support in the amount of $10 million for Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries.

The minister’s comments came on Thursday during the Second Meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Washington that was held under the presidency of Indonesia, on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Fahad Al-Mubarak, Governor of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), emphasized the need to secure the necessary flexibility to address various national circumstances and priorities, highlighting the importance of the circular carbon economy approach, which was adopted at the Riyadh G20 summit.

The meeting was attended by G20 members, invitee countries, including Ukraine, as well as international and regional organizations. G20 Finance Ministers and the Central Bank Governors continued the discussion on the agenda of the previous meeting held in Jakarta in Feb. 2022, namely the global economy and its risks, global health issues, international financial architecture, and sustainable finance.

The G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors will continue the dialogue at the Third Meeting, which will be held in Bali on July 15-16, 2022.

Meanwhile, Al-Jadaan met on Wednesday with US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank.

The meeting touched on bilateral economic relations, the economic impact resulting from geopolitical developments and the Covid-19 pandemic, and the means to face increasing challenges and maintain global economic recovery.



Oil Trims Gains on Dollar Strength, Tight Supplies Provide Support

FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
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Oil Trims Gains on Dollar Strength, Tight Supplies Provide Support

FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo

Oil prices trimmed earlier gains on Wednesday as the dollar strengthened but continued to find support from a tightening of supplies from Russia and other OPEC members and a drop in US crude stocks.

Brent crude was up 21 cents, or 0.27%, at $77.26 a barrel at 1424 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 27 cents, or 0.36%, to $74.52.

Both benchmarks had risen more than 1% earlier in the session, but pared gains on a strengthening US dollar.

"Crude oil took a minor tumble in response to a strengthening dollar following news reports that Trump is considering declaring a national economic emergency to provide legal ground for universal tariffs," added Ole Hansen, analyst at Saxo Bank.

A stronger dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies.

"The drop (in oil prices) seems to be driven by a general shift in risk sentiment with European equity markets falling and the USD getting stronger," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Oil output from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries fell in December after two months of increases, a Reuters survey showed.

In Russia, oil output averaged 8.971 million barrels a day in December, below the country's target, Bloomberg reported citing the energy ministry.

US crude oil stocks fell last week while fuel inventories rose, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

Despite the unexpected draw in crude stocks, the significant rise in product inventories was putting those prices under pressure, PVM analyst Tamas Varga said.

Analysts expect oil prices to be on average down this year from 2024 due in part to production increases from non-OPEC countries.

"We are holding to our forecast for Brent crude to average $76/bbl in 2025, down from an average of $80/bbl in 2024," BMI, a division of Fitch Group, said in a client note.