Qatar locks LNG supply agreement with Japan

QatarEnergy’s LNG comeback gets a shot in the arm: QatarEnergy is set to supply 3 mn tons of LNG to Japan’s Jera in a new 27-year supply agreement, the first Qatari-Japanese LNG agreement in over a decade. Japan, the world’s second-biggest LNG buyer, has been diversifying its supply, tapping producers, such as the US, who retain more flexible supply terms compared to Qatar.

Background: Jera opted not to renew its 5.5 mn tons supply contract with Qatar back in 2021 and has since been in negotiations with the country for a new agreement. Qatar’s LNG supply to Japan slumped to some 3.3 mn tons last year, down from around 10 mn tons in 2017.

IN CONTEXT- Qatar is looking to attract more customers in the wake of its massive North FieldExpansion project, which is expected to nearly double its export capacity to 142 mn tons by 2030.

Saudi gears up for USD 40 mn investment in Omani industrial city

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) will pour USD 40 mn into the establishment of Thumrait Industrial City in Oman under an MoU with Omani Finance Minister Sultan Al Habsi, state news agency SPA reports. The agreement aims to develop the industrial, logistical, developmental, and social sectors in the Dhofar Governorate through the 3.9 mn sqm industrial city.

IN CONTEXT- The SFD is an established backer of Omani zones. The SFD committed to invest SAR 1.2 bn to finance infrastructure development in the Special Economic Zone in Oman’s Al Dhahirah near the Saudi borders under an MoU signed in 2023 with the Omani Finance Ministry.

UAE explores backing Paraguay’s aviation, rail sectors

The UAE and Paraguay inked multiple agreements covering airport development and urban rail infrastructure, including an MoU between Abu Dhabi Airports and Paraguay’s National Directorate of Civil Aviation to develop the country’s Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, Wam reports.

Rail collaboration in the cards: Etihad Rail and Paraguay’s Industry and Commerce Ministry inked a heads of terms agreement for the Urban Rail Project — a 44-km rail line the two countries had discussed last November. Back in 2024, Paraguay canceled a USD 500 mn concession agreement with South Korea to build and operate the line. It later opened discussions with other countries on the project, including the UAE.

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