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Saudi FM Leads High-Ranking Delegation to WEF Annual Meeting in Davos

The Saudi flag. Asharq A-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq A-Awsat
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Saudi FM Leads High-Ranking Delegation to WEF Annual Meeting in Davos

The Saudi flag. Asharq A-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq A-Awsat

A high-level Saudi delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah will participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos on January 20-24.

The Kingdom’s delegation includes Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi; Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Member, and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir; Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih; Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan; Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha; Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, and Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim.

Taking place under the theme of “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age”, the 55th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting arrives at a time of growing geopolitical, economic and humanitarian challenges — from ongoing conflicts to a tepid global growth trajectory, and from the seismic impact of advanced technologies on labor markets and human capital to the increasingly urgent need for a practical and inclusive energy transition.

During its participation, the Saudi delegation will collaborate with leaders from government, the private sector, civil society and academia to address these pressing global challenges and shape a prosperous future. The delegation will also explore opportunities to drive disruptive innovation, unlock human potential, steer sustainable transitions and foster global dialogue.

The delegation will also share experiences and insights from its transformation journey and wide-ranging reform agenda under Saudi Vision 2030, which is building a more resilient, productive and integrated economy.

The Ministry of Economy and Planning (MEP) leads the Kingdom’s long-standing partnership with the WEF and has delivered impactful initiatives that have addressed pressing global challenges.
The 55th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum brings together representatives from more than 100 governments, major international organizations, and more than 1,000 major private sector players, in addition to young changemakers and representatives of civil society and academic institutions.

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Business

India Secures 60 Days of Oil Supply amid Hormuz Disruption

Small boats sail loaded with goods in front of a container ship in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, June 25, 2025 (AFP)
Small boats sail loaded with goods in front of a container ship in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, June 25, 2025 (AFP)
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India Secures 60 Days of Oil Supply amid Hormuz Disruption

Small boats sail loaded with goods in front of a container ship in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, June 25, 2025 (AFP)
Small boats sail loaded with goods in front of a container ship in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, June 25, 2025 (AFP)

India has secured crude oil supplies for the next 60 days, ensuring stable fuel supplies in the country despite disruption in shipments from the Middle East, the oil ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

India, the world's third biggest oil consumer and importer, was buying over 40% of its oil imports from the Middle East. Those supplies are disrupted due to the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Higher availability of crude in global markets, mainly from the Western hemisphere, has helped offset the shortfall, the government said.

Taking advantage of a temporary US waiver, Indian refiners have also ramped up purchases of Russian crude, securing millions of barrels to fill the supply gap.

"Despite the situation at the Strait of Hormuz, India is today receiving more crude oil from its 41-plus suppliers across the world than what was previously arriving through the Strait," the ministry said.

As a net exporter of petroleum products, India’s domestic availability of petrol and diesel remains structurally secure, the government said.

The world's fourth-largest refiner has oil and fuel stocks sufficient to meet 60 days of demand, against a total storage capacity of 74 days, it added.

"Nearly two months of steady supply is available for every Indian citizen, regardless of what happens globally. The next two months of crude procurement have also been secured," it added.

India has asked refiners to maximize production of liquefied petroleum gas, used as cooking fuel, as the nation was buying 90% of its LPG imports from the Middle East.

Domestic daily LPG production has been increased by 40% to 50,000 metric tons against a requirement of 80,000 tons, it said.

In addition, Indian companies have secured 800,000 tons of LPG cargoes from the United States, Russia, Australia, and other countries, it said.

These shipments, arriving across India's 22 LPG import terminals, provide roughly one month of assured supply, with further procurement underway, the government said.

Business

SAMA Licenses Two Companies to Provide Open Banking Services

SAMA Licenses Two Companies to Provide Open Banking Services
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SAMA Licenses Two Companies to Provide Open Banking Services

SAMA Licenses Two Companies to Provide Open Banking Services

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) announced the licensing of “Altknwlwjya aljadydh llhulul albrmjyh” and “lyn tknwlwjyz Company Saudi Arabia litqniyat nuzum almaelumat” to conduct payment services by providing account information—one of the services associated with open banking.

The licenses were granted following the successful completion of the regulatory sandbox phase under SAMA’s supervision.

The decision reflects SAMA’s ongoing efforts to support and enable the financial sector, enhance the efficiency and flexibility of financial transactions, and promote innovation in financial services. This aims to advancing financial inclusion and expanding access to financial services across all segments of society.

SAMA emphasizes the importance of dealing exclusively with authorized financial institutions. To view licensed and permitted financial institutions, visit SAMA's official website.

Business

UK Suffers OECD's Biggest Growth Downgrade as Iran War Pushes Up Energy Costs

This overhead view shows buildings along the River Thames in London on March 25, 2026. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
This overhead view shows buildings along the River Thames in London on March 25, 2026. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
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UK Suffers OECD's Biggest Growth Downgrade as Iran War Pushes Up Energy Costs

This overhead view shows buildings along the River Thames in London on March 25, 2026. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
This overhead view shows buildings along the River Thames in London on March 25, 2026. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)

Britain's economic ‌growth prospects this year received the sharpest downgrade of any major economy in the OECD's interim forecast update on Thursday following the US-Israeli war ​on Iran, while inflation is set to rise faster too.

The Paris-based international body cut its 2026 forecast for British economic growth by half a percentage point to 0.7%, compared with a 0.4 percentage point downgrade for the euro zone and a 0.3 percentage point upgrade for the United States.

"Planned fiscal tightening and higher energy prices ‌are anticipated to keep ‌growth subdued in the United ​Kingdom, ‌though the ⁠impact ​will be ⁠attenuated by lower policy rates next year," Reuters quoted the OECD as saying in its report.

Following are further highlights from the report and other context:

Britain's growth forecast for 2027 is unchanged at 1.3%.

Britain's inflation forecast for 2026 is revised up by 1.5 percentage points from December to 4.0%, the ⁠biggest upward revision of any large, advanced ‌economy.

UK inflation in 2027 ‌is forecast to be 2.6%, 0.5 percentage ​points higher than in ‌December and above the Bank of England's 2% target.

Poorer UK households spend more on gas and electricity than in other rich countries, though total energy spending makes up a smaller share of UK inflation than elsewhere.

The OECD expects the ‌BoE to keep interest rates unchanged this year then cut in Q1 2027 as inflation ⁠eases.

⁠Britain's Office for Budget Responsibility, in forecasts finalized just before the start of the conflict, predicted GDP growth of 1.1% this year and 1.6% in 2027.

The BoE this month forecast inflation would rise to 3.0-3.5% over the next couple of quarters.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made boosting growth and reducing the cost of living top goals for his government.

Finance minister Rachel Reeves said the forecasts showed the war in the Middle East ​was affecting Britain but ​she would still focus on "regional growth, embracing AI and innovation, and establishing a closer relationship with the EU."