Saturday 2 May 2020

#Saudi finance minister: Coronavirus economic impact will be felt from second quarter - Reuters

Saudi finance minister: Coronavirus economic impact will be felt from second quarter - Reuters:

The impact of the new coronavirus on Saudi Arabia’s state finances will appear from the second quarter of the year, the finance minister said on Saturday, adding that Saudi finances needed still more discipline to face the challenges.

Mohammed al-Jadaan also told Al Arabiya TV that the government is studying making big spending cuts amid other measures needed to face the crisis.

#Iran to issue sukuk securities to fund oil, gas projects - Reuters

Iran to issue sukuk securities to fund oil, gas projects - Reuters:

Iran plans to issue sukuk securities worth up to $217 million to fund oil and natural gas projects, state-run energy news service SHANA reported on Saturday.

Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri signed off on a decision, authorised under the annual state budget, which allows the oil, energy and industry ministries to issue the sukuk, which are Islamic sharia-compliant bonds, worth up to 35 trillion rials ($217 million at the free market exchange rate) for gas and oil projects, it said.