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OPEC Sticks To 2024 Oil Demand Growth Forecast But Trims Q1 View

On Tuesday, OPEC stuck to its forecast for relatively strong growth in global oil demand in 2024, despite lower-than-expected use in the first quarter, saying travel and tourism would support consumption in the year’s second half.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, in a monthly report, said world oil demand will rise by 2.25 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024 and by 1.85 million bpd in 2025. Both forecasts were unchanged from last month.

OPEC’s report is the latest to flag robust oil market conditions heading into the second half of the year. Oil rose 3 per cent on Monday after Goldman Sachs said transport demand would push the market into a third-quarter deficit.

OPEC said steady global economic growth has continued in the first half of 2024 and forecast that world oil demand would rise by 2.3 million bpd in the second half.

“Globally, the services sector maintains a stable momentum,” OPEC said.

“It is projected to be the main contributor to the economic growth dynamic in the second half of 2024, particularly supported by travel and tourism, with a consequent positive impact on oil demand.”

OPEC+, which groups OPEC and allies such as Russia, has implemented a series of output cuts since late 2022 to support the market. The group agreed on June 2 to extend the latest cut of 2.2 million bpd until the end of September and gradually phase it out from October.

Oil was steady after the OPEC report was released with Brent crude edging down towards $81 a barrel.

The International Energy Agency, which represents industrialised countries, expects much lower demand growth than OPEC of 1.1 million bpd and is scheduled to provide an update on its view on Wednesday.

Goldman Sachs said on Monday that solid summer transport demand will push the oil market into a third-quarter deficit of 1.3 million bpd. Figures in OPEC’s report imply an even larger gap between supply and demand.

OPEC projects demand for OPEC+ crude, or crude from OPEC plus the allied countries working with it, at 43.6 million bpd in the third quarter, much more than the group is currently pumping, according to the report.

The OPEC+ group pumped 40.92 million bpd in May, the report said, citing figures from secondary sources. That marked a drop of 123,000 bpd from April with declines in Russia and Kazakhstan offsetting increases in Nigeria and smaller African producers.

Foreign Firms Contribute €3.5 Billion To Cyprus Economy In 2023

Recent Eurostat data reveals that Cyprus remains an outlier within the European Union, where foreign-controlled companies contribute minimally to the nation’s employment figures and economic output. While these enterprises have a substantial impact in other member states, in Cyprus they account for only 10 percent of all jobs, a figure comparable only to Italy and marginally higher than Greece’s 8 percent.

Employment Impact

The report highlights that foreign-controlled companies in Cyprus employ 32,119 individuals out of a total workforce that, across the EU, reaches 24,145,727. In contrast, countries such as Luxembourg boast a 45 percent job share in foreign-controlled firms, with Slovakia and the Czech Republic following closely at 28 percent.

Economic Output Analysis

In terms of economic contribution, these enterprises generated a total value added of €3.5 billion in Cyprus, a small fraction compared to the overall EU total of €2.39 trillion. Notably, Ireland leads with 71 percent of its value added stemming from foreign-controlled firms, followed by Luxembourg at 61 percent and Slovakia at 50 percent. On the lower end, France, Italy, Greece, and Germany exhibit values below 20 percent.

Domestic Versus Foreign Ownership

The data underscores Cyprus’s heavy reliance on domestically controlled enterprises for both employment and economic output. However, it is important to note that certain businesses might be owned by foreign nationals who have established companies under Cypriot jurisdiction. As a result, these firms are classified as domestically controlled despite having foreign ownership or management components.

Conclusion

This analysis emphasizes the unique role that foreign-controlled enterprises play within the Cypriot economy. While their overall impact is limited compared to some EU counterparts, the presence of these companies continues to contribute significantly to the island’s economic landscape.

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