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Oil drops as US rate hike concern, weak China data offset Opec+ cuts

Oil fell on Monday as concern over the economic impact of the US Federal Reserve potentially raising interest rates and weaker Chinese manufacturing data outweighed support from new Opec+ supply cuts taking effect this month. The Fed, which meets on May 2-3, is expected to increase interest rates by another 25 basis points. The US dollar rose against a basket of currencies on Monday, making oil

World Bank launches more robust, transparent business climate rankings

The World Bank on Monday unveiled a new methodology and improved safeguards for assessing the business climate in up to 180 countries after embarrassing revelations of data irregularities and favouritism toward China forced it to cancel its flagship rankings two years ago. The bank scrapped its “Doing Business” rankings in September 2021, citing internal audits and an independent probe that fou

UAE signs $1bn LNG deal with TotalEnergies

The United Arab Emirates’ ADNOC Gas announced on Monday a $1 billion deal to provide liquefied natural gas to France’s TotalEnergies as Europe scrambles to find alternatives to Russian energy sources. The liquefied natural gas provided under the three-year supply deal “will be delivered to various export markets around the world”, a company statement said. The agreement is valued at between

Pakistan Steel Mills earns Rs7.45bn in FY22

Though closed since June 2015, Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) is reported to have earned after-tax-profit of about Rs7.45 billion in 2021-22 even though its accumulated losses of Rs206bn went beyond its current assets worth Rs195.5bn. In the qualified opinion of on financial statements, the independent auditors — Crowe Hussain Chaudhry & Co — said the PSM fully disclosed its dispute with Sui Southe

Exports to nine regional states drop 28pc

Pakistan’s exports to nine regional countries dipped 28.28 per cent in the first nine months of FY23 mainly driven by a drop in shipments to China, data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan showed. The decline is not confined to exports but imports especially from China also saw a deep decline during the current fiscal year. As part of government austerity measures, import containers are awai