عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

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
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.

Most Viewed

 
 
Business

OPEC Again Cuts 2024, 2025 Oil Demand Growth Forecasts

The OPEC logo. Reuters
The OPEC logo. Reuters
TT
TT

OPEC Again Cuts 2024, 2025 Oil Demand Growth Forecasts

The OPEC logo. Reuters
The OPEC logo. Reuters

OPEC cut its forecast for global oil demand growth this year and next on Tuesday, highlighting weakness in China, India and other regions, marking the producer group's fourth consecutive downward revision in the 2024 outlook.

The weaker outlook highlights the challenge facing OPEC+, which comprises the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies such as Russia, which earlier this month postponed a plan to start raising output in December against a backdrop of falling prices.

In a monthly report on Tuesday, OPEC said world oil demand would rise by 1.82 million barrels per day in 2024, down from growth of 1.93 million bpd forecast last month. Until August, OPEC had kept the outlook unchanged since its first forecast in July 2023.

In the report, OPEC also cut its 2025 global demand growth estimate to 1.54 million bpd from 1.64 million bpd, Reuters.

China accounted for the bulk of the 2024 downgrade. OPEC trimmed its Chinese growth forecast to 450,000 bpd from 580,000 bpd and said diesel use in September fell year-on-year for a seventh consecutive month.

"Diesel has been under pressure from a slowdown in construction amid weak manufacturing activity, combined with the ongoing deployment of LNG-fuelled trucks," OPEC said with reference to China.

Oil pared gains after the report was issued, with Brent crude trading below $73 a barrel.

Forecasts on the strength of demand growth in 2024 vary widely, partly due to differences over demand from China and the pace of the world's switch to cleaner fuels.

OPEC is still at the top of industry estimates and has a long way to go to match the International Energy Agency's far lower view.

The IEA, which represents industrialised countries, sees demand growth of 860,000 bpd in 2024. The agency is scheduled to update its figures on Thursday.

- OUTPUT RISES

OPEC+ has implemented a series of output cuts since late 2022 to support prices, most of which are in place until the end of 2025.

The group was to start unwinding the most recent layer of cuts of 2.2 million bpd from December but said on Nov. 3 it will delay the plan for a month, as weak demand and rising supply outside the group maintain downward pressure on the market.

OPEC's output is also rising, the report showed, with Libyan production rebounding after being cut by unrest. OPEC+ pumped 40.34 million bpd in October, up 215,000 bpd from September. Iraq cut output to 4.07 million bpd, closer to its 4 million bpd quota.

As well as Iraq, OPEC has named Russia and Kazakhstan as among the OPEC+ countries which pumped above quotas.

Russia's output edged up in October by 9,000 bpd to about 9.01 million bpd, OPEC said, slightly above its quota.