Saudi Arabia hoping 'business as usual' strategy holds
Although some prominent figures stayed away from a major investment conference in Riyadh, the meeting went ahead with many global firms represented
Saudi Arabia is determined that the international outrage over the killing of Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul shouldn't affect commercial and economic activity. For the time being at least, the Saudi leadership's strategy appears to be working. Some big names from politics and the world's business community were absent, but 'Davos in the desert', as it was dubbed, was by no means a wash-out. For while governments around the world want and are insisting on further details of the killing of Khashoggi and who ordered it, they're also realistic enough to know that they can't simply walk away from such a lucrative source of investment and business. In particular, government
Also in this section
23 April 2026
The addition of an oil pipeline to the Power of Siberia 2 gas project could ensure deliveries of Russian oil to China, materially shorten logistics lines between West Siberia and final customers, and—amid disruption in the Strait of Hormuz—offer a land-based export route that reduces exposure to maritime chokepoints
23 April 2026
There is a clear push to bolster exports to Asia amid uncertainty around its North American neighbour, but there are limits to the benefits from the energy crisis
23 April 2026
Shell made the play-opening discovery in Namibia’s Orange basin back in 2022, but its next well could decide whether the project can actually be commercialised
22 April 2026
The failure of OMV Petrom’s keenly watched exploration campaign at Bulgaria’s Han Asparuh block highlights the Black Sea’s uneven track record, despite major successes like Neptun Deep and Sakarya
