Qatar’s budget surplus hit $5.4bn in Q1 exceeding expectations
Qatar’s budget surplus hit $5.4bn in Q1 exceeding expectations /node/2316271/business-economy
Qatar’s budget surplus hit $5.4bn in Q1 exceeding expectations
Budget estimates were based on the oil prices of $65 per barrel, whereas the first quarter saw an average price of $82.2, leading to the higher revenue (Shutterstock)
Qatar’s budget surplus hit $5.4bn in Q1 exceeding expectations
Updated 05 June 2023
Arab News
RIYADH: Qatar registered more than two-thirds of its expected 2023 budget surplus in the first three months of the year thanks to a large inflow of oil and gas revenues, the country’s Finance Ministry has revealed.
According to Qatar’s state news agency, the country’s trade balance was 19.7 billion Qatari riyals ($5.4 billion) in the black for the first quarter of the year, the equivalent of 68 percent of its anticipated budget surplus for 2023.
The figure reflects a 70 percent increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, which saw a profit of 11.6 billion riyals.
The total revenues in the first three months of 2023 reached 68.6 billion riyals, of which 63.4 billion came from oil and gas revenues.
Non-oil revenues made up the remaining 5.2 billion riyals during the period.
According to previous expectations, the Gulf nation was anticipated to record a budget surplus of 29 billion riyals by the end of 2023.
Budget estimates were based on the oil prices of $65 per barrel, whereas the first quarter saw an average price of $82.2, leading to the higher revenue.
While issuing this year’s budget, Finance Minister Ali Al-Kuwari noted the surplus is expected to go toward repaying Qatar’s public debt, boosting central bank reserves, and increasing the capital of the state’s sovereign wealth fund.
In April 2023, Qatar recorded a trade surplus of 22 billion riyals, according to a report released by the country’s Planning and Statistics Authority in May.
The data reflected a 3.5 percent increase over March while a 35.6 percent decline on an annual basis.
The value of merchandise imports during April 2023 also fell 6.3 percent from the previous year and 9.3 percent from the last month to reach an estimated 8.7 billion riyals.
Meanwhile, the value of Qatar’s exports of oil, gas, and condensate tumbled in April to 18.6 billion riyals, reflecting a decrease of 33.2 percent on an annual basis.
Uzbekistan announces new charter from Madrid to Samarkand
Updated 27 September 2023
Nada Alturki
RIYADH: Uzbekistan, which is set to host the 25th General Assembly of the UN World Tourism Organization, has announced that it will be chartering a flight directly from Madrid to Samarkand, where the meeting will be held.
More than 100 countries, headed by their respective ministers, have confirmed their attendance for the meeting, which will take place from Oct. 16 - 20.
This was announced by Aziz Abduhakimov, Uzbekistan’s tourism and cultural heritage minister, during his presence at the World Tourism Day 2023 celebrations in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh.
Abduhakimov said: “Tourism today needs new products and skills, new approaches, and new destinations to drive the sector into a sustainable, prosperous and resilient future.
“Uzbekistan is actively embracing this need for tourism transformation and, as Conde Nast Traveler and Lonely Planet put it, Uzbekistan is one of those hidden tourist gems that await to be explored by visitors from all around the world.”
The General Assembly will host a Tourism Investment Forum, where green tourism investment opportunities will be discussed; an Education Forum, which will gather leading educational institutions in tourism; the Best Tourism Village Award; cultural nights; and the official opening of the UNWTO Tourism Academy.
“The landscape of (the) tourism sector is rapidly shifting, and in the context of the new challenges that the world is facing, from (the) COVID-19 pandemic to climate change, the need for collective action in transforming the sector towards sustainability, inclusion and social economic prosperity is essential,” Abduhakimov added.
In Riyadh, Abduhakimov visited the historic Diriyah, which is home to Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb and Secretary-General of UNWTO Zurab Pololikashvili. He said he was impressed by the scale and architectural beauty of the project and was pleased to see the buzzing livelihood of the area.
He noted: “I also noticed some similarities in the way Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan approach tourism development. This thought made me increasingly happy, as it shows that despite cultural, geographical and economic differences, we do share a common vision about tourism development. Some elements of the area reminded me of the Eternal City project located within the New Silk Road touristic center in the ancient city of Samarkand.”
Riyadh Air to use AI for green flight routes in fight against climate change
Updated 27 September 2023
Nadin Hassan
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s newest airline will use artificial intelligence to track the least carbon-emitting flight routes, according to its chief operating officer.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the UN World Tourism Day 2023, held from Sept. 27-28 in the Saudi capital, Riyadh Air’s Peter Bellew discussed how the company was putting sustainability concerns at the center of its development.
The airline, announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in March, has ordered 72 Boeing 787s, described by the executive as “the most carbon efficient aircraft there is out there.”
He added: “We’re going to track in a unique way every single step and every part of our business (to see how) we can reduce our carbon emissions, how we can improve fuel usage, how we can use artificial intelligence to assist us and the optimal flight paths, flight routings, and all those things together.”
The national carrier acknowledges its advantage as a startup without legacy systems and emphasizes its commitment to sustainability.
The airline will also use IT systems to track each crew member’s carbon index, encouraging eco-friendly practices.
Additionally, they are exploring environmentally conscious systems at airports, including electric and hydrogen-powered ground equipment.
“This is going to be the center of the largest generation of green and blue hydrogen on planet Earth, and we’ll be able to take that through into our maintenance or repair our overhaul, and our engineering facilities,” Bellew said.
He mentioned the airline’s aim to use eco-friendly hydrogen energy by 2030, aligning the carrier with prospective sustainability principles.
“I hope that by 2030, they’ll all be powered by clean green hydrogen energy, and then you’ve got the whole Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (sustainability principles) that we can do with what’s on board the aircraft in terms of the management of the waste, to all our buildings and everything,” he added.
Overall, the airline sees these initiatives as an opportunity to lead by example and foster positive change in the industry.
Bellew stressed the advantages of being a new airline in today’s technology-driven era, considering it a remarkable opportunity to leverage the latest advancements in data utilization and AI.
Moreover, Ahmed Daoud, executive director of innovation at the Royal Commission for AlUla, mentioned that the city has developed a blueprint or a plan for involving entrepreneurs and startups in the region to focus on significant growth through environmentally conscious practices.
This model is “not only sustainable but regenerative and creates wealth and opportunities for local communities,” Daoud said.
He also added: “That also allows us to continue to invest in our local environments as well.”
Saudi Arabia has become the first country to back a call for $1 trillion in annual investment into the global startup ecosystem from G20 countries during the Startup20 engagement group’s summit in India this year.
Daoud outlined a strategic approach to leveraging a global entrepreneurial ecosystem to benefit a young tourist destination.
He said: “We create synergies between a broader global entrepreneurial ecosystem making investments directly now, not from a venture capital or corporate venture capital perspective, that’s not our position, but in terms of creating symbiotic relationships where we can compete as a nascent tourist destination, by leveraging these advanced solutions that are being developed on the S side of the SME spectrum.”
He further explained that this approach is being applied to local startups within Saudi Arabia, and there are plans to expand this model to include businesses from the global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“We’re investing heavily in expanding that model to a global entrepreneurial ecosystem as well,” Daoud continued.
Riyadh Air's Chief Operating Officer Peter Bellew.
WTO is held under the theme “Tourism and Green Investments” to encourage global collaboration in exploring opportunities to strengthen the tourism industry’s resilience and push the sector toward an investment-led and environmentally conscious future.
During the two-day event, tourism CEOs will deliver keynote comments, while panel discussions will focus on three UNWTO essential themes: people, planet, and prosperity.
Participants will learn about the power of tourism and its role in integrating cultures, preserving the environment, and creating a more peaceful and connected world.
Saudi Arabia will hand over the chair to Georgia, who will host the event next year.
PIF-backed Lucid opens first international EV plant in Saudi Arabia
Updated 27 September 2023
Arab News
JEDDAH: Lucid Group, backed by the Public Investment Fund, on Wednesday opened its first international manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Economic City.
As Lucid’s second Advanced Manufacturing Plant, AMP-2, and first international plant, the facility will produce Lucid’s groundbreaking electric vehicles for Saudi Arabia and export to other markets.
Through the development of electric transportation, Lucid will support the Saudi Green Initiative’s imperative to ensure that 30 percent of new car sales in the Kingdom are electric by 2030.
“We are delighted to make history today in Saudi Arabia by opening the country’s first car manufacturing facility, which will produce our award-winning electric vehicles and support the country’s vision for a more sustainable and diversified economy,” said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO, Lucid Group.
The AMP-2 facility received significant support from the Ministry of Investment, the Saudi Industrial Development Fund, and KAEC.
“As Saudi Arabia charges toward its Vision 2030, our facility will pave the way for the country’s electric automotive industry and the expansion of the supply chain, and with the support of the Saudi Government, we are proud to drive local talent development in the technology industry. We look forward to delivering Saudi-assembled cars to customers in Saudi Arabia and beyond.”
The AMP-2 facility has begun semi-knocked-down assembly and is expected to have an annual capacity of 5,000 cars. The initial operation re-assembles Lucid Air vehicle “kits” that are pre-manufactured at the company’s US AMP-1 Manufacturing Facility in Casa Grande, Arizona.
Lucid aims to transition AMP-2 to complete build unit production after the middle of the decade, with an additional annual capacity of 150,000 cars.
The plant’s strategic location near Jeddah will also act as a catalyst to further grow and expand the newly established domestic supply chain, creating demand for local suppliers and fostering long-term growth.
“Today is a proud moment for all of us at Lucid as we play a part in Saudi Arabia’s history and create long-term economic value for the country. Earlier this year, we were thrilled to introduce the first and most advanced electric vehicle, the Lucid Air, to the Saudi Arabia market,” said Faisal Sultan, vice president and managing director of Middle East, Lucid Group.
“The opening of our facility today marks the beginning of our production operations to assemble our world-class Lucid Air. AMP-2 in KAEC, in addition to our existing AMP-1 facility in Arizona, gives us the ability to efficiently fulfill the recently signed agreement with the government of Saudi Arabia to purchase up to 100,000 vehicles over a 10-year period, with an initial commitment to purchase 50,000 vehicles and an option to purchase up to an additional 50,000 vehicles over the same period.”
The facility opened at a high-profile event in the presence of PIF Gov. Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
Closing bell: TASI edges up 1.5% to close at 11,077
Updated 27 September 2023
ARAB NEWS
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index closed at 11,076.94 points on Wednesday, marking an increase of 158.70, or 1.45 percent.
Simultaneously, the parallel market Nomu closed at 22,632.26, recording a rise of 225.43 points or 1.01 percent, while the MSCI Tadawul 30 Index also edged up 18.21 points to settle at 1,420.52, an increase of 1.3 percent.
By the day’s end, the main index recorded a trading value of SR5.7 billion ($1.5 billion) with 180 stocks advancing and 38 declining. On the other hand, Nomu reported a trade volume of SR33.3 million.
Elm Co. was the top performer on the main index with a 10 percent increase to close at SR781.20. Sinad Holding Co. also closed in green with a 7.22 percent increase to settle at SR12.18.
Al-Rajhi Co. for Cooperative Insurance was amongst the top performers with a 6.33 percent increase to close at SR151.20.
Al Alamiya for Cooperative Insurance Co. and Al Moammar Information Systems Co. were also on the list with an increase of 5.52 and 5.46 percent, closing at SR17.58 and SR143, respectively.
Conversely, the newly listed Lumi Rental Co. recorded the largest dip. It declined by 2.9 percent on the third day of its trading to SR83.6.
Abdulmohsen Alhokair Group for Tourism and Development and Arabian Drilling Co. also experienced setbacks, with their shares dropping SR2.22 and SR189.80, reflecting declines of 2.63 and 1.86 percent, respectively.
Losses were also reported for Saudi Arabian Amiantit Co. and National Agricultural Development Co.
Nomu’s top performer was Advance International Co. for Communication and Information Technology, which saw an 18.48 percent jump to SR5.77.
Molan Steel Co. and Edarat Communication and Information Technology Co. also recorded notable gains, with their shares closing at SR8.18 and SR380.20, marking an increase of 16.86 and 15.21 percent, respectively.
National Building and Marketing Co. and Gas Arabian Services Co. fared well too.
On Nomu, International Human Resources Co. was the worst performer, declining by 6.95 percent, to close at SR4.55.
Other underperformers included Sure Global Tech Co. and Paper Home Co., whose share prices declined to SR72 and SR178.80, a drop of 4 and 3.87 percent, respectively.
Ghida Alsultan for Fast Food Co. and Professional Medical Expertise Co. also dipped during the day to settle at SR66.20 and SR68, respectively.
Sipchem gets nod for blue ammonia plant in Saudi Arabia
Updated 27 September 2023
Arab News
RIYADH: In a significant development, Sahara International Petrochemical Co., known as Sipchem, has received the green light from the Ministry of Energy to kickstart the establishment of a blue ammonia plant in Saudi Arabia.
The plant, slated to be situated within Jubail Industrial City, will have an annual production capacity of 1.2 million tons, according to the company’s statement.
Blue ammonia is known for its low carbon footprint, and Sipchem plans to use advanced energy and feedstock technologies for efficient operations.
The facility, slated to be situated within Jubail Industrial City, is primed to churn out a staggering 1.2 million tons of ammonia annually, marking a notable stride in sustainable industrial practices.
Blue ammonia is known for its low carbon footprint, created from natural gas as a feedstock while capturing and storing the CO2 emissions produced in its manufacturing.
Sipchem expressed its commitment to implementing the latest advancements in energy and feedstock technologies to ensure maximum operational efficiency.
This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes supporting and empowering national companies in the sector.
Sipchem holds assets valued at $6.3 billion and a market capitalization of around $5.3 billion. It’s listed on Tadawul and part of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
The company witnessed strong demand for its products in Europe in the second quarter of 2022, driving a 4 percent increase in half-year sales.
