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Eurasia
May 3, 2019 www.intellinews.com I Page 19
Saudis rescue distressed Iranian oil tanker just as US move versus Iran’s crude kicks in
Saudi Arabia said on May 2 that its coast guard had rescued a distressed Iranian oil tanker off the Red Sea port of Jeddah after receiving an emergency call reporting “engine failure and the loss of control”.
The Happiness I was spotted on May 1 by Tanker- Trackers.com, making a hard turn to the south- east on the Red Sea and apparently leaking oil.
Iranian officials said an incident occurred on April 30 when the Happiness I was on its way to the Suez Ca- nal. Water had leaked into the tanker’s engine room, according to Iran’s official IRNA news agency. State- run National Iranian Tanker Co. said there had been no leakage of the oil cargo, according to the Iranian Oil Ministry's news agency SHANA. Saudi state media reported that all 26 crew members, includ- ing 24 Iranians and two Bangladeshis, were safe.
The incident attracted more media attention than would normally have been expected as it came on the eve of the US launching its attempt to drive Iranian oil exports to zero by denying sanctions waivers to all countries that would like to remain in the market for crude shipments from Iran. If any- where near successful, the US move would severely damage Iran’s economy. The IMF last week pre- dicted that because of the US sanctions regime, it is expected to contract 6% this year – but that forecast was given before the Trump administration abruptly announced that there would be no more waivers.
Biggest buyer of Iranian oil China, second big- gest India and Iran’s neighbour Turkey have most strongly made their displeasure known when it comes to the US attempt at forcing them to stop taking consignments of oil from Iran.
Tashkent to sell government stakes in Coca-Cola Bottlers Uzbekistan and 30 other companies
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has approved a list of companies with state-owned shares that will be offered for sale to foreign investors.
The list was approved as part of the president’s resolution “on measures to further improve
the mechanisms for attracting foreign direct investment in the republic’s economy”. The list includes plans to sell the government’s 57% stake in Coca-Cola Bottlers Uzbekistan.
Other offerings will include 25% stakes in Alokabank, Turonbank, Asia Alliance Bank and
Kafolat insurance company. A 10% stake will be sold in Uzpromstroybank, the country’s third largest bank.
Uzbekistan will also sell 35.9% of state shares
in Kyzylkumcement, one of the country’s largest cement producers, and a 74.98% stake in Quartz.
Shares of Angren Thermal Power Plant (99%) and Novo-Angren TPP (99.59%) will be put up for sale as well.
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