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SINGAPORE: Oil prices ticked up on Tuesday on concerns about supply, with Iran set to reject a US nuclear deal proposal that would be key to easing sanctions on the major oil producer, while weakness in the dollar also supported prices.

Brent crude futures gained 12 cents, or 0.19 percent, to $64.75 a barrel by 9:27 a.m. Saudi time.

US West Texas Intermediate crude was up 20 cents, or 0.32 percent, to $62.72 a barrel, after rising about 1 percent earlier in the session.

The oil market surged higher on Monday as rising geopolitical risks and a supply hike from OPEC+ that fell short of expectations provided a boost, said ING analysts in a note.

“The strength continued into early morning trading today,” ING said on Tuesday.

Both contracts gained nearly 3 percent in the previous session after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, known as OPEC+, agreed to keep output increases in July at 411,000 barrels per day, which was less than some in the market had feared and the same hike as the previous two months.

“With the worst fears not panning out, investors unwound their bearish positions they had built prior to the weekend’s meeting,” ANZ analysts said in a note.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which measures its performance against six other major currencies, held near six-week lows as markets weighed the outlook for President Donald Trump’s tariff policy and its potential to hurt growth and stoke inflation.

A weaker US currency makes dollar-priced commodities such as oil less expensive for holders of other currencies.

“Crude oil prices continue to rise, supported by the weakening dollar,” said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.

Geopolitical tensions also supported prices. Iran was poised to reject a US proposal to end a decades-old nuclear dispute, an Iranian diplomat said on Monday, saying it fails to address Tehran’s interests or soften Washington’s stance on uranium enrichment.

If nuclear talks between the US and Iran fail, it could mean continued sanctions on Iran, which would limit Iranian supply and be supportive of oil prices.

Adding to supply worries, a wildfire in the province of Alberta in Canada has prompted a temporary shutdown of some oil and gas production, which could reduce supply.

According to Reuters calculations, wildfires in Canada have affected more than 344,000 bpd of oil sands production, or about 7 percent of the country’s overall crude oil output. 

RIYADH: Exports of electrical machinery and equipment from Oman surged by 141 percent in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 128 million Omani rials ($332.8 million) compared to 53 million rials in the same period of 2024, according to official data. 

The strong performance of the sector highlights its growing importance to the country’s industrial base and export competitiveness, the National Center for Statistics and Information revealed. 

Officials have linked the sharp rise to rising demand across domestic and regional markets, driven by ongoing infrastructure expansion and increased investment in renewable energy projects. 

In figures released in May, the Oman News Agency revealed that the country’s non-oil exports rose by 8.6 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 1.618 billion rials.

Commenting on the latest release, Khalid Al-Qassabi, director general of Industry at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, stated that the positive results reflect the resilience and diversity of Oman’s industrial base, according to a report by the ONA.

“He noted that the ministry continues to implement integrated industrial policies aimed at enhancing the position of national products in regional and international markets and driving industrial exports to higher levels,” the news agency added. 

Al-Qassabi said that growth in the electrical equipment sector is being supported by major infrastructure developments, such as the expansion of electricity networks, utilities, and new cities. 

He also pointed to rising interest in renewable energy technologies, which is boosting demand for domestically manufactured components. 

The sector is considered a strategic priority under Oman’s Industrial Strategy 2040, with the potential to enhance supply chains, increase national value-added, foster entrepreneurship, and support the localization of advanced technologies. 

Jasim Al-Jadeedi, technical director in the Office of the Undersecretary for Commerce and Industry, reiterated the ministry’s focus on expanding the global presence of Omani industrial goods. 

He said this is a central objective of the country’s industrial strategy and a key component of its economic diversification agenda under Oman Vision 2040. 

Al-Jadheedi explained that several initiatives are underway to improve product quality and competitiveness, including support for manufacturers in meeting international technical standards. 

He added that the government is working with relevant stakeholders to unlock new export markets through trade agreements, international exhibitions, and trade missions, while offering targeted incentives to local exporters. 

The technical director also emphasized the importance of adopting advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0 tools, to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and achieve sustainable industrial growth. 

This sectoral expansion comes amid broader momentum in the industrial economy. 

Total credit extended by Oman’s banking sector increased by 9 percent year-on-year to 33.6 billion rials by the end of April, indicating continued strength in financing for the private sector and industrial enterprises. 

Non-oil industrial exports overall rose by 8.6 percent during the first quarter to 1.618 billion rials, up from 1.49 billion rials a year earlier. 

Industrial goods accounted for 28 percent of total exports during the period, led by electrical machinery and mineral products, the latter of which recorded a 14.1 percent rise in exports to 462 million rials.