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Coronavirus: European Investment Bank (EIB) Approves € 12.6bn Financing for Transport, Clean Energy, Urban Development and COVID-19 Resilience

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Outgoing President of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi and incoming Christine Lagarde.

€ 3.1 billion for COVID-19 public health and business financing; € 3.5 billion for private sector investment and working capital schemes; € 3 billon for clean energy and energy efficiency investment around the world; € 2 billion for Naples-Bari high speed train link largest loan in EIB history.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) today approved € 12.6 billion of new financing for projects across Europe and around the world.

New financing agreed today includes more than € 3.1 billion of COVID-19-related investment to improve public health, strengthen public services and back investment by companies in sectors hit by the pandemic.

Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, the EIB has approved € 20.1 billion to enable public and private partners around the world to better tackle health, social and economic challenges.

The EIB Board, meeting by video conference, also backed investment in agriculture, water, housing, telecommunications and urban development across Europe, as well as in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

“Fighting climate change and tackling the COVID-19 pandemic must go hand in hand to achieve a green recovery. The EU Bank is working around the world to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic on lives, jobs and businesses; and to ensure that investment focuses on sustainability, innovation, and on reducing the devastating impact of climate change. The 12.6 billion Euros of new EIB financing approved today show how we are working with thousands of local partners to make a long-term difference to people’s lives during these challenging times”, said Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank.

Largest ever EIB loan to transform travel in southern Italy

Passengers travelling between Rome, Naples and Bari will from 2027 benefit from reduced journey times, a quicker and environmentally friendly alternative to car transport, and improved connections thanks to the largest loan the EIB ever approved.

The EIB board gave the green light for a EUR 2 billion loan to support the construction of the new high-speed train link that will cut journey times by 1 hour and forty minutes between Naples and Bari. More than 2000 jobs will be created during construction and 200 once construction of the high speed line across a European cohesion region is complete.

The new green transport link, part of the Italian government’s “Unlock Italy” decree, will increase the competitiveness of raid transport, reduce carbon emissions and support social and economic development in southern Italy. It is part of the Scandinavia-Mediterranean Trans-European Network (TEN).

€ 3.6 billion to help businesses to better withstand COVID-19 challenges

Ensuring that entrepreneurs and employers can continue to invest and adapt to new challenges posed by COVID-19 is crucial.

Companies in the Baltics, Benelux, Cyprus, France, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia as well as East Africa, Morocco, the Middle East and the Pacific will benefit from new targeted COVID-19 financing initiatives approved by the EIB today.

The new schemes, managed by local financial partners and banking intermediaries, will help reduce economic shocks, unlock new investment and enable targeted financing for sectors most vulnerable to COVID-19 uncertainties.

€ 3 billion for renewable energy and energy transition

Today’s board meeting agreed to support energy investment that will reduce energy use and increase generation of clean energy across Europe and around the world.

€ 1.6 billion will be used to finance small-scale local climate action projects in France, Italy and across the EU, managed by experienced financing partners.

Financing to support construction of new windfarms off the Dutch coast and in Bosnia, improve energy efficiency in Austria and Ukraine, renovate hydropower in Georgia, roll out smart meters in Lithuania and modernise electricity networks in Madeira and Hungary was also approved.

Millions of people across Africa and Latin America will be able to access reliable clean energy for the first time following EIB support for new off-grid solar schemes and energy transition.

€ 2.9 billion to improve urban and national sustainable transport

Rail transport in Italy is set to be transformed by EIB backed investment to upgrade rolling stock on the national network, alongside today’s approval of EUR 2 billion financing for the new high-speed line between Naples and Bari.

The EIB Board also agreed to support new investment to upgrade public transport in Sarajevo and Krakow, and to help improve a key motorway link in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Improving urban development and social housing

Thousands of families will benefit from new large-scale social housing investment across France and in Germany under new financing programs approved today.

The EIB Board also agreed to support the New Slussen urban development project that will transform of the heart of the Swedish capital Stockholm.

Hospital patients will benefit from EIB support for construction of a new regional hospital in Tournai and approval of a national scheme to improve mental health facilities across Belgium.

A new scheme to support long-term healthcare investment in French regions underserved by medical services was also agreed.

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Crude Oil

Oil Prices Rise in Asian Trade as Supply Concerns Heighten Amid Russian Attacks

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Oil

Oil prices surged on Monday during the Asian trading session as concerns over global supply intensified amidst ongoing attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.

Brent crude oil, against which Nigerian oil is priced, climbed by 47 cents to $85.81 a barrel while the U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose by 49 cents to $81.53 a barrel.

The market’s bullish sentiment was largely influenced by recent attacks on Russian refineries, which added $2-$3 per barrel of risk premium to crude last week.

These attacks persisted over the weekend, further heightening concerns about supply disruptions.

One of the strikes ignited a brief fire at the Slavyansk refinery in Kasnodar on Saturday. This refinery processes approximately 8.5 million metric tons of crude oil annually, equating to 170,000 barrels per day.

Consequently, a Reuters analysis revealed that these attacks have idled around 7% of Russian refining capacity in the first quarter of the year.

The impacted refining complexes play a crucial role in processing and exporting crude varieties to various markets, including China and India.

The escalating tensions in the Middle East also contributed to market unease. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed plans to push into Gaza’s Rafah enclave, disregarding pressure from Israel’s allies.

This move raised concerns about regional stability, amplifying geopolitical risks in the oil market.

Investors are closely monitoring the outcome of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting scheduled to conclude on Wednesday.

The Fed’s decision regarding interest rates could provide further clarity on market direction, potentially impacting oil prices in the near term.

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Commodities

Commodity Trading Industry Hits $100 Billion Profit, Second-Best Year on Record

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Zambian economy

The global commodities market has reported $100 billion in profits despite facing challenges and disruptions, making its second-best year ever. 

According to analysis from consultancy firm Oliver Wyman LLC, while earnings have dipped slightly from the record-breaking levels of 2022, this year’s profits easily surpass previous highlights, including those seen during the global financial crisis of 2008-2009.

Consultant Adam Perkins attributes this success to favorable margins driven by ongoing supply-demand dynamics, despite the volatility seen in various sectors.

While specific financial results for many players within the industry are yet to be made public, the report indicates that major independent trading houses are expected to show an average drop of over 30% from the record levels of 2022.

However, disruptions in supply chains and shortages of diesel and fuel oil have somewhat offset the decline in volatility related to Russian crude oil.

These profits have enabled commodity trading firms to bolster their positions as key providers of energy, metals, and food resources on a global scale.

With significant investments in oil refineries, storage facilities, power plants, and acquisitions of other trading companies, these firms are solidifying their roles in shaping global supply chains.

Moreover, the windfall profits have led to executives and partners within these firms becoming multi-millionaires, facilitating a generational shift in leadership as seasoned traders retire.

Despite the pressure to uphold legacies and navigate increased scrutiny, the influx of new leadership presents opportunities for innovation and growth within the commodity trading sector.

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Crude Oil

Oil Prices Surge as IEA Boosts Demand Forecasts and Trims Non-OPEC Supply Projections

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Crude Oil

Oil prices skyrocketed following the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) adjustments to its demand and supply forecasts.

The IEA’s latest report, released Thursday, sent shockwaves through financial markets as it unveiled a robust upward revision in global demand estimates while simultaneously trimming projections for non-OPEC oil supply.

With unparalleled confidence, the IEA bolstered first-quarter global demand growth forecasts, citing improved outlooks in the United States and heightened bunkering demand due to extended voyages circumventing geopolitical hotspots.

This unexpected surge in demand projections has injected a newfound sense of optimism into an industry grappling with uncertainties amid a shifting geopolitical landscape.

Moreover, the IEA’s decision to slash its projections for non-OPEC supply further fueled market exuberance.

Factoring in recent cuts from the OPEC+ coalition and reduced output from non-OPEC nations, the agency’s revised supply forecast sent a clear signal to investors: the tide is turning in favor of tightening supply dynamics.

This monumental shift in market sentiment was reflected in Brent crude futures, which surged by 0.86% to $84.75 a barrel, marking a significant milestone in the oil market’s recovery.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude followed suit, climbing 1.04% to $80.55 a barrel, as traders reacted swiftly to the IEA’s bullish outlook.

As the energy landscape undergoes a paradigm shift, industry experts anticipate a sustained rally in oil prices, driven by robust demand growth and tightening supply dynamics.

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