DIPLOMACY-

Oman inked an MoU with Saudi firms to boost bilateral trade and expand cooperation markets, ONA reports. Representatives from several Omani and Saudi factories met to discuss promoting both parties’ trade and industrial ties and expanding cooperation across key sectors including construction, packaging, and medical distribution. The agreement was overseen by Oman’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion Ministry and the Saudi Export Development Authority.

Trade in numbers: Oman’s industrial exports to Saudi Arabia went up 35.7% y-o-y to OMR 538 mn in 1H 2025. Trade between the two countries hit OMR 2.18 bn in 2024.

ZONES-

Milaha lands in Libya: Qatar Navigation (Milaha) has launched its services to Libya’s Misurata FreeZone Port — deploying its Al Bid’ah vessel, according to a statement. The move is part of Milaha’s plan to expand its services across North Africa.

TRADE-

#1- Syria to digitalize services for traders, investors: The Damascus Chamber of Commerce has launched a platform to digitalize services and procedures for traders and investors — specifically tailored for Syrians abroad and non-resident investors, Shafaq News reports, citing the chamber’s Media Director Nizar Al Miqdad. The platform aims to expedite administrative processes while decreasing the amount of paperwork. The pilot phase will begin soon — though a specific date remains undisclosed — and will include all of Syria’s chambers of commerce.

#2- Pakistan is reportedly looking to delay Qatari LNG deliveries scheduled for the next five years, amid weaker-than-expected demand for the super-chilled gas, Bloomberg reports, quoting sources familiar with the matter. Pakistani officials currently in Qatar are set to request delaying the deliveries, which were slated to begin next year with two shipments per month. In doing so, Pakistan could defer up to 177 cargoes, impacting some USD 5.6 bn earmarked in liabilities until after 2031, local media Daily Times reported.

IN CONTEXT- The move comes as the South Asian country grapples with cooling demand for the fuel, after hiking power rates to cap utility debts to secure loans from the International Monetary Fund. Expanding renewables capacity and the availability of cheaper energy sources for electricity have also dented the demand for LNG, signifying a market shift for a country that suffered severe LNG shortages a few years ago. The country consumes some 510 mcf/d of LNG — falling short of its 800 mcf/d in contracted commitments.

Where do we stand? Pakistan currently imports nine LNG cargos per month from Qatar and one from Italian energy giant Eni. Qatar already approved the deferral of five contracted LNG cargos back in December — without financial penalty — to now begin from 2026. Pakistan also requested that Eni divert its scheduled deliveries.

Tags: