DUBAI: Iraq has reservations over an item in the final COP28 deal that restricts its capabilities to work “to implement its commitments to the Iraqi people and national interests,” according to a government statement on Thursday.
The government praised the efforts of the Iraqi negotiators who it said were able to preserve the role of fossil fuels as a tool for development and prevented the adoption of texts sought by some developed countries which are “harmful to the interests of our peoples.”
Iraq has reservations over an item in COP28’s final deal – statement
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Iraq has reservations over an item in COP28’s final deal – statement

- Item in final COP28 deal restricts its capabilities to work ‘to implement its commitments to the Iraqi people and national interests’
Oil Upddates — prices retreat as US tariff uncertainty looms, OPEC+ set to raise output

SINGAPORE: Oil prices fell on Thursday after gaining 3 percent in the previous session as investors are wary higher US tariffs may be reinstated, which could cause lower fuel demand, and as major producers are expected to announce an output hike.
Brent crude futures fell 45 cents, or 0.65 percent, to $68.66 a barrel by 8:45 a.m. Saudi time. US West Texas Intermediate crude declined 44 cents, or 0.66 percent, to $67.01 a barrel.
Both contracts rose to their highest in one week on Wednesday as Iran suspended cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, raising concerns the lingering dispute over the Middle East producer’s nuclear program may again devolve into armed conflict, and the US and Vietnam reached a preliminary trade deal.
Still, there is increasing uncertainty around US trade policy as the 90-day pause on the implementation of higher tariffs will end on July 9 without any new trade deals with several large trading partners such as the European Union and Japan.
Additionally, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies such as Russia, known as OPEC+ will likely agreed to raise their output by 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) at their meeting this weekend.
With the uncertainty around both events, and the upcoming July Fourth Independence Day holiday in the US, “market participants will probably not want to carry too much risk into the long US weekend,” ING analysts said in a note on Thursday.
Adding to the negative sentiment, a private-sector survey showed on Thursday service activity in China, the world’s biggest oil importer, expanded at the slowest pace in nine months in June as demand weakened and new export orders declined.
A surprise build in US crude inventories also highlighted demand concerns in the world’s biggest crude consumer.
The US Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday domestic crude inventories rose by 3.8 million barrels to 419 million barrels last week. Analysts in a Reuters poll had expected a drawdown of 1.8 million barrels.
Gasoline demand on a weekly basis dropped to 8.6 million barrels per day, prompting concerns about consumption in the peak US summer driving season.
The market will be watching the release of the key US monthly employment report on Thursday to shape expectations around the depth and timing of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in the second half of this year, analysts said.
Lower interest rates could spur economic activity, which would in turn boost oil demand.
A private payrolls report on Wednesday showed a contraction for the first time in two years though analysts cautioned there is no correlation between it and the government data.
Global oil demand rose 1.5% in 2024 despite production dip: OPEC report

RIYADH: Global oil demand climbed by 1.49 million barrels per day, or 1.5 percent, year on year in 2024 to reach an average of 103.84 million bpd, according to newly released data from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
Demand rose across nearly all regions, with the strongest gains recorded in non-OECD Asia, particularly China and India, followed by the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and OECD Europe. Within OPEC member countries, oil demand rose by 0.12 million bpd, or 1.3 percent, year on year.
However, total world crude oil production declined for the first time since 2020, falling by 0.77 million bpd, or 1 percent, to average 72.58 million bpd in 2024. OPEC attributed the drop to lower output from both its members and non-OPEC producers participating in the Declaration of Cooperation.
OPEC nations cut production by 0.57 million bpd, or 2.1 percent, while non-OPEC DoC participants saw a steeper decline of 0.78 million bpd, or 5.2 percent. In contrast, crude production from countries not involved in the DoC rose by 0.58 million bpd, or 1.8 percent.
Refining capacity
Global refining capacity increased by 1.04 million bpd in 2024 to reach 103.80 million bpd. Most of this expansion came from the non-OECD region, notably China, India, and the Middle East.
For the first time since 2019, members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development also saw a modest increase in refining capacity—up by 0.16 million bpd—driven by additions in the Americas, although partially offset by closures in Europe and Asia Pacific.
Refinery throughput also saw a modest rise, growing by 0.52 million bpd, or 0.6 percent, to 85.97 million bpd. This was largely due to increased run rates in OECD Americas and non-OECD regions, including the Middle East, Africa, India, and Other Asia.
Exports down, product shipments up
OPEC’s crude oil exports declined by 0.70 million bpd, or 3.5 percent, in 2024 to average 19.01 million bpd. Asia continued to be the primary destination for OPEC crude, receiving 13.67 million bpd, or 71.9 percent of total exports.
In contrast, exports of petroleum products from OPEC members rose by 0.29 million bpd, or 6.1 percent, reaching an average of 5.07 million bpd during the year.
Global proven crude oil reserves stood at 1,567 billion barrels at the end of 2024, marking a slight increase of 2 billion barrels, or 0.1 percent, from the previous year. Proven reserves in OPEC members remained unchanged at 1,241 billion barrels.
Gulf bourses end mixed on US tariff uncertainty

- Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index edged 0.1% higher
- Dubai’s main share index dropped 0.4%
LONDON: Stock markets in the Gulf ended mixed on Wednesday as investors monitored global trade developments ahead of the US’ potential re-imposition of sweeping tariffs on July 9.
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he was not thinking of extending the July 9 deadline for countries to negotiate trade deals with the US, and continued to express doubt that an agreement could be reached with Japan.
Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index edged 0.1 percent higher, after two consecutive sessions of losses, helped by 1.7 percent rise in Saudi Arabian Mining Company.
The cautious mood dominating the region contributed to mixed sector performances, said Joseph Dahrieh, managing principal at Tickmill.
“Investors are awaiting further developments to gain more clarity, while low oil prices continue to pose a risk, despite a positive economic outlook,” he said.
Among gainers, oil giant Saudi Aramco rose 0.8 percent.
Oil futures edged up as Iran suspended cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog and markets weighed expectations of more supply from major producers next month, while the US dollar softened further.
Dubai’s main share index dropped 0.4 percent, hit by a 1.3 percent fall in toll operator Salik Company.
Separately, Dubai commuters may soon have a new way to beat traffic, as Joby Aviation successfully completed the first test flight of its fully-electric air taxi in the emirate this week — a significant step toward the city’s goal of integrating airborne transport into its mobility network as early as next year.
In Abu Dhabi, the index eased 0.1 percent, while the Qatari index closed flat.
A report on Tuesday suggested that the US labor market stayed resilient in May, sharpening the focus on US nonfarm payrolls figures due on Thursday as investors try to gauge when the Federal Reserve is likely to cut interest rates next.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday reiterated the US central bank’s plans to “wait and learn more” before lowering rates.
Outside the Gulf, Egypt’s blue-chip index added 0.4 percent, with Talaat Moustafa Holding rising 0.9 percent.
Closing Bell: Saudi main index inches up to close at 11,129

- MSCI Tadawul 30 Index gained 0.24% to finish at 1,423.94
- Parallel market Nomu increased 0.48% to settle at 27,375.84
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index gained 8.04 points, or 0.07, to close at 11,129.64 on Wednesday.
Total trading turnover reached SR5.41 billion ($1.44 billion), with 103 stocks posting gains and 140 declining.
The Kingdom’s parallel market, Nomu, also recorded an increase, gaining 130.72 points, or 0.48 percent, to settle at 27,375.84, as 32 stocks advanced and 41 retreated.
The MSCI Tadawul 30 Index also gained 3.34 points, or 0.24 percent, to finish at 1,423.94.
BAAN Holding Group Co. was the best-performing stock of the session, with its share price rising 9.73 percent to SR2.48. Saudi Industrial Export Co. followed with a 7.66 percent increase to SR2.39.
Other gainers included Almunajem Foods Co., which rose to a fresh year high on Wednesday, closing at SR77 with a 5.77 percent increase.
On the losing side, Buruj Cooperative Insurance Co. saw the steepest decline, falling 3.24 percent to SR17.92. Saudi Industrial Development Co. dropped 3.07 percent to SR30.9, and National Shipping Co. of Saudi Arabia declined 3.06 percent to SR23.75.
On the announcements front, Saudi Arabian Mining Co., also known as Ma’aden, finalized its acquisition of all shares owned by AWA Saudi and Alcoa Saudi in two of its major subsidiaries, according to a statement on the Saudi Stock Exchange.
The move follows the approval by Ma’aden’s extraordinary general assembly on June 25 to increase the company’s capital through a share issuance as consideration for acquiring the remaining stakes in Ma’aden Bauxite and Alumina Co. and Ma’aden Aluminium Co.
According to Ma’aden, the acquisition was made effective, and share allocation procedures were completed on July 1. The newly issued shares were deposited in favor of AWA Saudi and Alcoa Saudi, with the holdings officially listed on the same day.
The acquisition involved Ma’aden purchasing AWA Saudi’s entire stake in Ma’aden Bauxite and Alumina Co., totaling 128,010,000 ordinary shares — equivalent to 25.1 percent of the company’s issued capital.
It also included Alcoa Saudi’s full shareholding in Ma’aden Aluminium Co., amounting to 165,001,125 ordinary shares, or 25.1 percent of the company’s issued capital.
To execute the transaction, Ma’aden increased its capital from SR38.03 billion to SR38.89 billion — a 2.26 percent rise. As a result, the total number of its ordinary shares grew from 3.80 billion to 3.89 billion.
Under the new share distribution, Alcoa Saudi received 67,612,162 new ordinary shares, representing 1.74 percent of Ma’aden’s post-acquisition capital, while AWA Saudi received 18,365,385, or 0.47 percent of the capital.
Additionally, Ma’aden paid AWA Saudi SR562.5 million in cash as part of the transaction. The company emphasized that the acquisition does not involve any related parties.
The financial implications of the deal will be reflected in Ma’aden’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30.
Ma’aden’s share price closed 1.72 percent higher to reach SR53.25.
Saudi National Bank announced its plan to redeem its SR2 billion tier-1 capital sukuk in full on July 15, marking the 10th anniversary of the instrument’s issuance.
The sukuk, which was launched on July 15, 2015, will be redeemed at face value — 100 percent of the issue price — in accordance with the terms and conditions set at issuance, the bank stated in a press release published on Tadawul.
The move follows Saudi National Bank’s securing of the necessary regulatory approval to proceed with the redemption. The full principal amount, along with any accrued but unpaid periodic distributions, will be paid to sukuk holders on the redemption date.
The SR2 billion sukuk issuance comprised 2,000 certificates, each with a face value of SR1 million. It represented 100 percent of the issued sukuk under this offering. Following the redemption, the total value of the sukuk issuance will be reduced to zero.
This redemption reflects the bank’s capital management strategy and its ongoing commitment to optimizing its financial structure.
The bank’s share price closed 0.34 percent higher on Wednesday’s session to SR35.84.
International visitor spending in Saudi Arabia hits $13bn in Q1

- Rise pushed Kingdom’s travel account surplus to SR26.78 billion
- Saudi Arabia welcomed 115.9 million tourists in 2024
RIYADH: International tourists spent SR49.37 billion ($13.16 billion) in Saudi Arabia during the first quarter of 2025, a 10 percent increase compared to the same period last year, recent data showed.
According to figures released by the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA, the rise pushed the Kingdom’s travel account surplus to SR26.78 billion, up 11.7 percent year on year, underlining the sector’s growing contribution to the country’s non-oil economy.
This comes as Saudi Arabia accelerates its Vision 2030 push to position tourism as a pillar of economic diversification, raising its target to 150 million annual visitors by 2030 after surpassing the 100 million mark ahead of schedule.
In 2024, the sector hit a milestone, with international tourism revenue soaring 148 percent from 2019 — the fastest growth among G20 nations.

Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb, commenting on the sector’s performance following the release of the Ministry of Tourism’s 2024 Annual Statistical Report in June, said the document “showcases the sector’s remarkable growth and its role in enabling Saudi Vision 2030, a record performance achieved with the support and guidance of the Kingdom’s visionary leadership.”
The report said that Saudi Arabia welcomed 115.9 million tourists in 2024 — 29.7 million inbound and 86.2 million domestic trips — easily surpassing the Vision 2030 milestone of 100 million visits, five years ahead of schedule.
Total visitor spending reached SR283.8 billion, of which SR168.5 billion came from international travelers and SR115.3 billion from domestic tourists.
Since Vision 2030’s launch, Saudi tourism has expanded at breakneck speed. Inbound arrivals have climbed from 17.5 million in 2019 to 29.7 million in 2024, a 70 percent jump, while their spending ballooned by 63 percent, from SR103.4 billion to SR168.5 billion over the same period.
Domestic trips almost doubled, according to the annual report figures, rising from 47.8 million to 86.2 million over the same period.
The sector’s success is underpinned by multibillion-riyal investments in destination infrastructure. The first island resorts of the Red Sea Project will open later this year, while construction races ahead at NEOM’s Trojena mountain resort and Riyadh’s heritage-rich Diriyah Gate.

Developers are lining up more than 320,000 hotel rooms, and Red Sea International Airport is expected to start commercial flights in 2025, sharpening long-haul connectivity for high-end travelers.
Global recognition has followed, with UN Tourism data, cited in the Annual Statistical Report, showing Saudi Arabia ranked first among G20 nations for growth in international tourist numbers in 2024 and second globally compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Speaking in April 2024, Ahmad Arab, founder of tourism and hospitality firm DRB Arabia and former deputy minister at the Ministry of Tourism, told GLG Insights the industry is on track to create 1 million related jobs by 2030, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s diversifying non-oil economy.
A notable trend, according to the Ministry of Tourism’s annual report, is the shift toward leisure travel. Non-religious visits accounted for 59 percent of inbound arrivals in 2024, up from 44 percent in 2019, as streamlined e-visas, entertainment seasons, and high-profile sporting events broadened the Kingdom’s appeal.
Egypt remained the top source market with 3.2 million visitors, followed by Pakistan with 2.8 million and Bahrain with 2.6 million. Makkah Al-Mukarramah led all destinations with 17.4 million overnight foreign visitors, while Riyadh and Jeddah also attracted millions.
Domestic tourism is expanding in parallel: trips rose 5 percent to 86.2 million in 2024, fueling record domestic outlays of SR115.3 billion. Leisure remained the top purpose, helped by school-holiday campaigns and new regional festivals.
With first-quarter spending at an all-time high and visitor volumes already outpacing long-term targets, Riyadh’s next challenge is to sustain capacity growth while maintaining service quality.