Saudi Arabia Hosts Regional Trade Policy Course for Middle East Participants

File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

Saudi Arabia Hosts Regional Trade Policy Course for Middle East Participants

File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat
File photo of Saudi flag/Asharq Al-Awsat

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority of Foreign Trade, is hosting the Regional Trade Policy Course for Middle Eastern countries.
Organized in collaboration with the World Trade Organization and King Saud University, the course will run from October 13 to December 5.
The eight-week course is designed for government officials from Middle Eastern countries to exchange information, expertise, and enhance communication. It focuses on deepening participants' understanding of the economic and legal aspects of World Trade Organization rules, controls, and procedures, SPA reported.
Hosting this course aligns with the Kingdom's goals of supporting the national competencies and capabilities of trade policy makers in the region.
By enabling participants to keep pace with international standards and foreign trade rules, the Kingdom aims to contribute to sustainable development, improve the business environment, and enhance economic stability in the Middle East.
The World Trade Organization's selection of Saudi Arabia as host country confirms its pivotal role in promoting regional and international trade.



Iraqi Oil Output was Below OPEC+ Quota in September, Says Gov't Official

A drone view shows flames emerging from flare stacks at Nahr Bin Umar oil field, in Basra, Iraq June 30, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Aty/File Photo
A drone view shows flames emerging from flare stacks at Nahr Bin Umar oil field, in Basra, Iraq June 30, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Aty/File Photo
TT

Iraqi Oil Output was Below OPEC+ Quota in September, Says Gov't Official

A drone view shows flames emerging from flare stacks at Nahr Bin Umar oil field, in Basra, Iraq June 30, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Aty/File Photo
A drone view shows flames emerging from flare stacks at Nahr Bin Umar oil field, in Basra, Iraq June 30, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Aty/File Photo

Iraq produced 3.94 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil in September, less than its OPEC+ output quota of about 4 million bpd, an Iraqi official said on Saturday, as the country seeks to boost its compliance with the target.

The production figure given by the official, who asked not to be named, contradicts the findings of a Reuters survey published on Oct. 3, which found Iraq had pumped 90,000 bpd more than the quota in September.

Asked about the survey's findings, the official said production had come in below the quota due to lower exports, reduced domestic consumption and a decline in output from the Kurdistan Region.

Iraq planned to reduce it oil output to between 3.85 million and 3.9 million bpd in September as part of a plan to compensate for producing over its quota, a source told Reuters last month.

Iraq, Kazakhstan and Russia said earlier this month that they had delivered on their promised cuts in September.