72.4% of the overall scope of the work is done, which is ahead of schedule by about 2.5%. $12bn have been spent to date from total SD2 cost estimate of $24bn including an inflation rate for the period 2014-2020

“Indeed, youth seeds yield high crops. Our program activities were developed as pilots, but they are also a source of good practices and lessons to be used as a rich ground for the development of new joint World Bank and donor partners projects,”

Directors urged the authorities to accelerate structural reforms to boost growth and employment creation and facilitate income convergence with the EU. They highlighted the need to advance privatization and enhance the efficiency of the public sector, while removing bureaucratic impediments to doing business. Other priorities include further enhancing labor market flexibility to increase labor participation. Directors noted the importance of building political consensus to ensure broad support for the reforms.

Brent crude LCOc1 was down 48 cents a barrel at $50.13 as of 0856 GMT, having risen in the two previous sessions. U.S. crude CLc1 was down 48 cents to $49.40.

Brent crude futures were trading at $48.84 per barrel at 0422 GMT, up 26 cents from their last settlement. U.S. crude was up 35 cents at $48.20 a barrel.

Russian oil and gas companies will maintain stable capital spending in the next few years, while the global industry cuts back, thanks in part to advantages provided by the country’s currency, according to Fitch Ratings.

This can give some large industry players an advantage on future business projects, and can fundamentally harm American jobs.

The U.S. and Mexico will commit to joining Canada in boosting their use of wind, solar and other carbon-free sources of electricity, helping North America meet an ambitious goal of generating at least 50 percent of its energy from “clean” sources by 2025.

Saudi Aramco’s IPO is part of a transformation plan, envisaged by the powerbroker deputy crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, which seeks broad-based privatisation to boost employment and diversify the kingdom away from oil. But there is scepticism about whether the country is capable of such an overhaul when its people have grown accustomed to the state providing cradle-to-grave services.

Катарская сторона выразила свою заинтересованность на этом направлении, и мы ожидаем от них предложений по участию в упомянутых проектах, учитывая тот факт, что общий объем инвестиций со стороны эмирата достиг $9 млрд»