AlKhorayef to Asharq Al-Awsat: Incentives Offered to Empower Military Industries Investors

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef during his tour of the World Defense Show. (X)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef during his tour of the World Defense Show. (X)
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AlKhorayef to Asharq Al-Awsat: Incentives Offered to Empower Military Industries Investors

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef during his tour of the World Defense Show. (X)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef during his tour of the World Defense Show. (X)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar AlKhorayef shared with Asharq Al-Awsat that there are direct incentives for investors in the country’s military industries.

These incentives cover loans, industrial purposes, local content in national products, pre-purchase contracts, and other support tools.

AlKhorayef emphasized the ministry’s collaboration with various entities and the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) to support the Kingdom’s growing military sector.

He revealed efforts to build a strong industrial base, focusing on key industries like iron, aluminum, advanced technologies, electronics, and advanced chemicals such as plastics.

The minister highlighted the joint efforts with the military system, creating opportunities for industries that serve both sectors. He confirmed the availability of specific incentives for military industries based on Saudi Arabia’s needs.

AlKhorayef also pointed out that the industrial system provides various incentives to empower investors, including financial support and other facilitative components.



Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions

Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions
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Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions

Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions

Oil prices climbed on Tuesday reversing earlier declines, as fears of tighter Russian and Iranian supply due to escalating Western sanctions lent support.

Brent futures were up 61 cents, or 0.80%, to $76.91 a barrel at 1119 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 46 cents, or 0.63%, to $74.02.

It seems market participants have started to price in some small supply disruption risks on Iranian crude exports to China, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

In China, Shandong Port Group issued a notice on Monday banning US sanctioned oil vessels from its network of ports, according to three traders, potentially restricting blacklisted vessels from major energy terminals on China's east coast.

Shandong Port Group oversees major ports on China's east coast, including Qingdao, Rizhao and Yantai, which are major terminals for importing sanctioned oil.

Meanwhile, cold weather in the US and Europe has boosted heating oil demand, providing further support for prices.

However, oil price gains were capped by global economic data.

Euro zone inflation

accelerated

in December, an unwelcome but anticipated blip that is unlikely to derail further interest rate cuts from the European Central Bank.

"Higher inflation in Germany raised suggestions that the ECB may not be able to cut rates as fast as hoped across the Eurozone, while US manufactured good orders fell in November," Ashley Kelty, an analyst at Panmure Liberum said.

Technical indicators for oil futures are now in overbought territory, and sellers are keen to step in once again to take advantage of the strength, tempering additional price advances, said Harry Tchilinguirian, head of research at Onyx Capital Group.

Market participants are waiting for more data this week, such as the US December non-farm payrolls report on Friday, for clues on US interest rate policy and the oil demand outlook.