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Saudi Arabia, Oman Sign MoU on Cooperation in Economic Planning

Saudi Arabia, Oman Sign MoU on Cooperation in Economic Planning
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Saudi Arabia, Oman Sign MoU on Cooperation in Economic Planning

Saudi Arabia, Oman Sign MoU on Cooperation in Economic Planning

The Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning and Oman's Ministry of Economy signed on Thursday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) focusing on cooperation in medium- and long-term economic planning, economic studies and modeling, economic policies and plans, and green and circular economies.
The MoU aims to implement cooperation through the exchange of information, expertise, studies, and visits between experts and specialists, as well as the organization of conferences, seminars, and workshops. The agreement will remain in effect for five years.
Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim and Omani Minister of Economy Dr. Saeed bin Mohammed Al-Saqri signed the MoU, which stipulates enhancing cooperation in economy and planning based on mutual interests and in accordance with the regulations and laws in both countries.
Signing the MoU is part of efforts to enhance cooperation among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and boost bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Oman.

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WTO: Global Trade Could Climb 3% in 2025 if MidEast Conflicts Contained

FILE - Containers are piled up in the harbor in Hamburg, Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, file)
FILE - Containers are piled up in the harbor in Hamburg, Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, file)
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WTO: Global Trade Could Climb 3% in 2025 if MidEast Conflicts Contained

FILE - Containers are piled up in the harbor in Hamburg, Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, file)
FILE - Containers are piled up in the harbor in Hamburg, Germany, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, file)

The World Trade Organization on Thursday nudged up its forecast for global trade volumes this year and said a further pick up to 3% growth was likely in 2025, assuming Middle East conflicts are kept in check.
Global trade recovered this year from a 2023 slump driven by high inflation and rising interest rates, the WTO report said. In April, the global trade watchdog forecast a 2.6% increase in volumes, which it revised up on Thursday to 2.7%, Reuters reported.
"We are expecting a gradual recovery in global trade for 2024, but we remain vigilant of potential setbacks, particularly the potential escalation of regional conflicts like those in the Middle East," said WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in a statement.
"The impact could be most severe for the countries directly involved, but they may also indirectly affect global energy costs and shipping routes."
Israel's blitz against Lebanon's Hezbollah in recent weeks, following a year-long war against Hamas in Gaza, has stoked fears of an inexorable slide towards a pan-Middle Eastern war.
The WTO also cited diverging monetary policies among major economies as another downside risk for the forecasts. This "could lead to financial volatility and shifts in capital flows as central banks bring down interest rates," the report said, adding that this would make debt servicing more challenging for poorer countries.
"There is also some limited upside potential to the forecast if interest rate cuts in advanced economies stimulate stronger than expected growth without reigniting inflation," the WTO said.