Kuwait's KNPC Posts $3.3 Bln 2022-23 Profit, Highest Ever 

Motorists drive on the highway during a heatwave in Kuwait City on July 23, 2023. (AFP)
Motorists drive on the highway during a heatwave in Kuwait City on July 23, 2023. (AFP)
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Kuwait's KNPC Posts $3.3 Bln 2022-23 Profit, Highest Ever 

Motorists drive on the highway during a heatwave in Kuwait City on July 23, 2023. (AFP)
Motorists drive on the highway during a heatwave in Kuwait City on July 23, 2023. (AFP)

Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) posted profit of 1.016 billion dinars ($3.31 billion) in the year ended March 31, its highest ever, state news agency KUNA said on Tuesday.

The profit was 198% higher than the 341.38 million dinars in the previous fiscal year, KUNA said.

The increase was due to higher global oil prices as well as the completion of refineries in Mina Abdullah and Mina Al Ahmadi, KUNA said citing KNPC Chief Executive Wadha Al-Khateeb.

The state-owned oil firm's bumper profits mirrored those of other Gulf national oil companies and other oil majors such as Exxon Mobil and Shell, which reported record profits last year of $56 billion and $40 billion, respectively.

Last week, Qatar Energy reported $42.5 billion profit in 2022, while Saudi oil giant Aramco posted a profit of $161 billion last year.



Saudi-Portuguese Business Council Strengthens Economic Ties with Portugal

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi-Portuguese Business Council Strengthens Economic Ties with Portugal

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The Saudi-Portuguese Business Council, led by Chairman Alwaleed bin Khaled Al-Baltan, concluded a successful visit to Portugal, marking significant progress in boosting economic cooperation between the two nations, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.

The delegation engaged with key Portuguese officials, including the Ministers of Economy, Agriculture, Parliamentary Affairs and Sports, Infrastructure and Housing, as well as the Mayors of Porto and Leiria.

The delegation also held meetings with officials from the sports and aviation sectors, underscoring the wide-ranging potential for collaboration. Additionally, the delegation met with Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Portugal Prince Saud bin Abdul Mohsen bin Abdulaziz to discuss the outcomes of the visit.

In Lisbon, workshops introduced Portuguese companies to investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia. With participation from Al-Hawaishel Law Firm and Bank AlJazira, these sessions detailed the Kingdom's investment systems, incentives and financing solutions.

The delegation visited several prominent Portuguese firms specializing in ports, marine warehouses, real estate, technology, media, tourism, transportation and infrastructure.

Microsaur, a technology solutions and protection systems company, and Etermar, a specialist in port operations, announced plans to establish regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, over 260 Portuguese companies expressed readiness to enter the Saudi market.

The visit was capped with the signing of a tripartite framework agreement between the Saudi-Portuguese Business Council, the Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Portuguese Business Council. The agreement aims to strengthen economic relations and explore collaborations in aviation, tourism, sports investment, media, education, healthcare, agriculture, and fish farming.