OPEC+ says to increase petrol production from August
They decided to hike production to 548,000 barrels per day, a statement following a meeting in Vienna said. Analysts had expected the alliance to decide on another output increase of 411,000 barrels per day (bpd) -- the same target approved for May, June and July. The wider OPEC+ group -- comprising the 12-nation Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies -- began output cuts in 2022 in a bid to prop up prices.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Al Arabiya
an hour ago
- Al Arabiya
Saudi Arabia launches new skill-based work permit system to attract global talent
Saudi Arabia has introduced a new classification system for expatriate work permits as part of its efforts to enhance labor market efficiency, attract international expertise, and support the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. The initiative, announced by Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed al-Rajhi, will categorize foreign workers into three tiers: high-skill, skilled, and basic, based on factors such as qualifications, experience, technical abilities, wage levels, and age, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. The system officially came into effect for incoming expatriates on July 1, while reclassification for current residents began on June 18, according to the ministry. The reform comes as Saudi Arabia accelerates development of its flagship giga-projects – including NEOM, the Red Sea Project, Qiddiya, and Diriyah Gate – which require a growing number of highly skilled professionals across sectors such as construction, engineering, tourism, and technology. According to SPA, the ministry stated that the new system is designed to 'enhance worker performance, attract global talent to transfer expertise and experience to the Saudi labor market, improve operational efficiency, benefit from international experience, and build an environment that supports innovation and the development of business models.' The reclassification will be implemented through the Qiwa platform and is aligned with the Unified Saudi Classification of Professions and Educational Levels. A unified digital assessment tool will ensure workers are evaluated consistently and matched to labor market needs. Authorities say this measure will help employers access better-qualified workers, reduce mismatches between skills and job requirements, and gradually lessen dependence on low-skilled labor. Encouraging labor market trends The announcement follows encouraging labor market trends in the Kingdom. The overall unemployment rate in Saudi Arabia dropped to 2.8 percent in the first quarter of 2025 – the lowest on record – while the unemployment rate for non-Saudis declined to 0.8 percent, according to figures from the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). This reflects rising demand in the private sector and targeted recruitment aligned with sector-specific workforce requirements. Expatriates continue to play a vital role in the Saudi economy, representing 15.7 million people – or 44.4 percent of the total population – in 2024. Among working-age expatriates (aged 15 to 64), 89.9 percent are employed in productive sectors, according to GASTAT data. The new classification also complements the Professional Verification Program, launched in 2021 and expanded in 2024, which verifies the qualifications of foreign workers prior to arrival in the Kingdom. The initiative currently covers 128 countries and is expected to expand to 160, with a focus on key sectors such as engineering, healthcare, and education. Employers have been urged to review their workforce composition and reclassify employees accordingly through the Qiwa platform. The ministry's guidance also allows workers to request reassessments if they meet criteria for higher classifications. A points-based evaluation system will provide flexibility by allowing experience to compensate for gaps in formal education. The ministry said the complete guidance manual, detailing evaluation procedures and compliance requirements, is available on its official website.


Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Oil Updates — prices fall as OPEC+ hikes August output more than expected
SINGAPORE: Oil prices slipped on Monday after OPEC+ surprised markets by hiking output more than expected in August, while uncertainty over US tariffs and their potential impact on global economic growth weighed on demand expectations. Brent crude futures fell 24 cents, or 0.35 percent, to $68.06 a barrel by 8:42 a.m. Saudi time, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $66.31, down 69 cents, or 1.03 percent. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, a group known as OPEC+, agreed on Saturday to raise production by 548,000 barrels per day in August. 'The increased production clearly represents a more aggressive competition for market share and some tolerance for the resulting decline in price and revenue,' Tim Evans of Evans Energy said in a note. The August increase is a jump from monthly increases of 411,000 bpd OPEC+ had approved for May, June and July, and 138,000 bpd in April. The decision will bring nearly 80 percent of the 2.2 million bpd voluntary cuts from eight OPEC producers back into the market, RBC Capital analysts led by Helima Croft said in a note. However, the actual output increase has been smaller than planned so far and most of the supply has been from Saudi Arabia, they added. Saudi Arabia on Sunday raised the August price for its flagship Arab Light crude to a four-month high for Asia. Goldman analysts expect OPEC+ to announce a final 550,000 bpd increase for September at the next meeting on Aug. 3. Oil also came under pressure as US officials flagged a delay on when tariffs would begin but failed to provide details on changes to the rates that will be imposed. The US is close to finalizing several trade agreements in the coming days and will notify other countries of higher tariff rates by July 9, President Donald Trump said on Sunday, with the higher rates scheduled to take effect on Aug. 1. Trump in April announced a 10 percent base tariff rate on most countries and higher 'reciprocal' rates ranging up to 50 percent, with an original deadline of this Wednesday. However, Trump also said levies could range in value from 'maybe 60 percent or 70 percent tariffs to 10 percent and 20 percent,' further clouding the picture. Investors are worried higher tariff rates could slow economic activity which would reduce demand for oil. 'Concerns over Trump's tariffs continue to be the broad theme in the second half of 2025, with dollar weakness the only support for oil for now,' said Priyanka Sachdeva, a senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.


Asharq Al-Awsat
4 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
BRICS Group Condemns Increase of Tariffs in Summit Overshadowed by Middle East Tensions
The BRICS bloc of developing nations on Sunday condemned the increase of tariffs and attacks on Iran, but refrained from naming US President Donald Trump. The group's declaration, which also took aim at Israel's military actions in the Middle East, also spared its member Russia from criticism and mentioned war-torn Ukraine just once. The two-day summit was marked by the absences of two of its most powerful members. China's President Xi Jinping did not attend a BRICS summit for the first time since he became his country's leader in 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who spoke via videoconference, continues to mostly avoid traveling abroad due to an international arrest warrant issued after Russia invaded Ukraine. In an indirect swipe at the US, the group's declaration raised 'serious concerns' about the rise of tariffs which it said were 'inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organization) rules.' The BRICS added that those restrictions 'threaten to reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty.' Trump, in a post on his social media platform late Sunday, said any country that aligns itself with what he termed 'the Anti-American policies of BRICS' would be levied an added 10% tariff. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who hosted the summit, criticized NATO's decision to hike military spending by 5% of GDP annually by 2035. That sentiment was later echoed in the group's declaration. 'It is always easier to invest in war than in peace,' Lula said at the opening of the summit, which is scheduled to continue on Monday. Iran in attendance Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who was expected to attend the summit before the attacks on his country in June, sent his foreign minister Abbas Araghchi to the meeting in Rio. The group's declaration criticized the attacks on Iran without mentioning the US or Israel, the two nations that conducted them. In his speech, Araghchi told leaders he had pushed for every member of the United Nations to condemn Israel strongly. He added Israel and the US should be accountable for rights violations. The Iranian foreign minister said the aftermath of the war 'will not be limited' to one country. 'The entire region and beyond will be damaged,' Araghchi said. BRICS leaders expressed 'grave concern' for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, called for the release of all hostages, a return to the negotiating table and reaffirmed their commitment to the two-state solution. Later, Iran's Araghchi said in a separate statement on messaging app Telegram that his government had expressed its reservation regarding a two-state solution in a note, saying it will not work 'just as it has not worked in the past.' Also on Telegram, Russia's foreign ministry in another statement named the US and Israel, and condemned the 'unprovoked military strikes' against Iran. Russia spared The group's 31-page declaration mentions Ukraine just once, while condemning 'in the strongest terms' recent Ukrainian attacks on Russia. 'We recall our national positions concerning the conflict in Ukraine as expressed in the appropriate fora, including the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly,' the group said. Avoid Trump's tariffs While Lula advocated on Sunday for the reform of Western-led global institutions, Brazil aimed to avoid becoming the target of higher tariffs. Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs against the bloc if they take any moves to undermine the dollar. Last year, at the summit hosted by Russia in Kazan, the Kremlin sought to develop alternatives to US-dominated payment systems which would allow it to dodge Western sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 Brazil decided to focus on less controversial issues in the summit, such as promoting trade relations between members and global health, after Trump returned to the White House, said Ana Garcia, a professor at the Rio de Janeiro Federal Rural University. 'Brazil wants the least amount of damage possible and to avoid drawing the attention of the Trump administration to prevent any type of risk to the Brazilian economy,' Garcia said. 'Best opportunity for emerging countries' BRICS was founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, but the group last year expanded to include Indonesia, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. As well as new members, the bloc has 10 strategic partner countries, a category created at last year's summit that includes Belarus, Cuba and Vietnam. That rapid expansion led Brazil to put housekeeping issues — officially termed institutional development — on the agenda to better integrate new members and boost internal cohesion. Despite notable absences, the summit is important for attendees, especially in the context of instability provoked by Trump's tariff wars, said Bruce Scheidl, a researcher at the University of Sao Paulo's BRICS study group. 'The summit offers the best opportunity for emerging countries to respond, in the sense of seeking alternatives and diversifying their economic partnerships,' Scheidl said. The meeting was also an opportunity to advance climate negotiations and commitments on protecting the environment before November's COP 30 climate talks in the Amazonian city of Belem.