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The shift from “quantity” to “quality” and from “exporting simple consumption goods” to “exporting production systems” signals that China was successful in re-positioning itself at the high end of global supply chains, according to QNB. Over the coming months, the discussions for a new 5-year plan and industrial policy cycle will gain momentum with a focus on key sectors emphasising AI and semiconductors.As China closes both its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and the decade since the launch of its flagship Made in China 2025 industrial strategy, the moment invites a sober look at what has been achieved, QNB said in an economic commentary.Some 10 years after Beijing first announced its ambition to move from “factory of the world” to “world leader in advanced manufacturing,” both the plan and the strategy are reaching maturity together. The 14th Five-Year Plan and Made in China 2025 were designed to improve the country’s economic KPIs into what policymakers now call “new quality productive forces,” a phrase that emphasises the pivot from quantity to quality, from input-driven expansion to technology-driven efficiency.Such change was focused on ten priority sectors where technological leadership would anchor future competitiveness, including robotics, aerospace, maritime engineering, advanced railway transportation equipment, new-generation IT, electric vehicles (EVs), advanced materials, biomedicine, energy equipment, and agricultural equipment’s.The evidence suggests that the strategy is bearing fruit. According to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) Critical Technology Tracker, China’s performance in strategic technological fields has shifted dramatically over time, QNB noted.While in 2007 China led in only three out of 64 critical technologies, the figure has jumped to 57 out of 64 in 2023, outpacing other advanced economies in the race to lead the frontier of research and development for strategic application in key fields.Such impressive performance can be clearly observed in key segments, such as robotics, EVs, and green energy, it said. Robotics is perhaps the clearest illustration of Chinese technological leadership. According to the International Federation of Robotics, more than 295,000 industrial robots were installed in 2024, accounting for over half of global deployments.Those are strictly defined robots as “a programmed actuated mechanism with a degree of autonomy to perform locomotion, manipulation or positioning,” i.e., it needs to follow instructions from a control system, have physical hardware to move or apply forces, and perform physical tasks with defined levels of independence from continuous human control.The installed base now exceeds 2mn units, by far the largest worldwide. Even in terms of robot density, China leads with 470 robots per 10,000 manufacturing employees, having recently surpassed other industrial powerhouses such as Germany, Japan, and the US.This wave of automation marks the transformation of China’s industrial landscape from labour-intensive assembly to smart, data-driven production. This positions China as one of the leading countries in the world for automation after South Korea and Singapore.In solar, China installed more photovoltaic capacity in 2024 than the rest of the world combined, and its wind-power installations are equivalent to the total cumulative capacity of the United States and the European Union.These figures underline that China’s decarbonisation is not a by-product of slower growth but a deliberate industrial project: producing more energy, of cleaner origin, with globally unmatched efficiency and scale. What makes this transformation distinctive is the degree to which manufacturing, energy, and technology are converging. The push for advanced manufacturing feeds into the green transition through new materials, batteries, and grid technology, while the expansion of clean power lowers the cost base for further industrial upgrading.The synergies are now visible in export data, where the “new three” industries (EVs, lithium batteries, and solar modules) have collectively become one of China’s largest export categories, rivalling traditional electronics, QNB said.

QatarEnergy has awarded Samsung C&T Corporation the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for a landmark carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) project to serve QatarEnergy’s existing LNG production facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City.The new project will capture and sequester up to 4.1mn tons of CO₂ per year , making it one of the world’s largest of its kind and placing Qatar at the forefront of global large-scale carbon capture deployment, reinforcing its leadership role in providing responsible and sustainable energy.His Excellency the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, His Excellency Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, who is also the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, welcomed the award as an important step and said: “This milestone project builds upon our growing carbon capture and sequestration capabilities, which reinforce our position as a reliable provider of affordable lower-carbon energy. “All our LNG expansion projects will deploy CCS technologies, with an aim to capture over 11 MTPY of CO2 by 2035.”Minister al-Kaabi added: “By implementing important environmental aspects of QatarEnergy’s sustainability strategy, our CCS projects will enable a significant reduction in Green House Gas emissions and will greatly support Qatar’s National Climate Change Action Plan. To achieve this, we are pleased to partner with Samsung C&T Corporation, and we look forward to the successful execution of this world-scale project.”QatarEnergy launched its first CCS project in 2019 with a capacity of 2.2 MTPY. Two other ongoing CCS projects will serve the North Field East and North Field South expansion projects, capturing and storing 2.1 MTPY and 1.2 MTPY of CO2 respectively.

China's new energy vehicle (NEV) sector maintained strong momentum in production and sales in the first nine months of the year, according to industry data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). NEV production jumped 35.2% year-on-year to 11.24 million units during the first three quarters, according to data cited by Xinhua News Agency. Sales during the same period climbed 34.9% year-on-year to nearly 11.23 million units, accounting for 46.1% of total vehicle sales in China, CAAM data showed. According to the CAAM data, China's auto industry maintained robust production and sales during the period, driven by trade-in programs, local auto shows, and intensive new product launches. Total auto output reached 24.33 million units in the period, marking a 13.3% year-on-year increase, while sales grew 12.9% to 24.36 million units. Data also showed that China's auto exports maintained steady growth momentum, with a 14.8% year-on-year increase. Notably, NEV exports surged 89.4% year-on-year to 1.76 million units.

Jordan's industrial production rose by 1.76% during the first eight months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to new figures released by the Department of Statistics. The report showed that the general index of industrial production recorded an annual increase of 2.07% in August 2025, compared to August 2024. The index is now based on a new reference year, with 2018 set as the base (2018=100), replacing the previous 2010 baseline. Growth was driven primarily by a 1.81% rise in the manufacturing sector, which constitutes 88.7% of overall industrial output. Electricity production also saw a notable increase of 3.22%, accounting for 5.9% of the total index. However, output in the mining and quarrying sector fell by 1.39%, representing 5.4% of the industrial index. The report reflects ongoing efforts to modernize statistical measures and monitor sectoral performance in Jordan's evolving industrial landscape.

Oil prices rose nearly 1% on Wednesday as investors shrugged off concerns about oversupply after digesting a decision earlier by OPEC+ to limit production increases next month. Brent Crude futures gained 63 cents, or 0.96%, to $66.08 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 66 cents, or 1.07%, to $62.39. The benchmarks had settled broadly flat in the previous session as traders weighed signs of a potential supply glut against the smaller-than-expected output increase announced by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies.

Oil prices climbed around 1% at Monday's close after OPEC+ announced a smaller-than-expected production increase for November, easing some supply concerns. However, weak demand outlooks may limit further gains in the near term. Brent Crude futures rose by 94 cents, or 1.46%, to settle at $65.47 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 81 cents, or 1.33%, to $61.69. OPEC+ said on Monday it would raise oil output by 137,000 barrels per day in November—the same increase that applied in October—amid ongoing concerns about oversupply.

Saudi Arabia's Industrial Production Index (IPI) for July 2025 recorded an increase of 6.5 percent compared to the same month of the previous year (July 2024).According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), citing the Saudi General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), the sub-index for mining and quarrying, the largest component of the IPI, rose by 6.5 percent year-on-year, while the manufacturing sector index grew by 7 percent.The sub-index for electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply increased by 0.9 percent, while the sub-index for water supply, sewage, waste management, and remediation activities rose by 8.5 percent compared to July 2024.The data also showed that oil-related activities grew by 7.8 percent, while non-oil activities recorded a 3.5 percent increase during the same period.

Iraq hopes fellow producers will reconsider its oil export quota to better reflect its production capacity, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said Saturday, a day ahead of an Opec+ meeting in a rare public comment by a senior Iraqi official.Iraq, the group's largest overproducer, is under pressure from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to cut output to compensate for having produced more than its agreed volume.It is among countries that submitted plans in April to make further oil output cuts to compensate for pumping above agreed quotas.Iraq's oil exports averaged 3.38mn barrels per day in August, according to the oil ministry. September average oil exports are expected to be between 3.4mn bpd and 3.45mn, the chief of the state oil company SOMO said on Saturday.Opec counts oil flows from Kurdistan as part of Iraq's quota.Al-Sudani previously appealed publicly for a review of Iraq's production quota in late 2022.Opec+, which includes Opec members plus Russia and other allies, has reversed its strategy of output cuts from April and has already raised quotas by some 2.5mn barrels per day, about 2.4% of world demand.The move is intended to boost market share and follows pressure from US President Donald Trump to lower oil prices.Eight countries from Opec+ are set to meet online today to consider a further output hike.Another output boost would mean Opec+, which pumps about half of the world's oil, would be starting to unwind a second layer of cuts of about 1.65mn barrels per day, or 1.6% of world demand, more than a year ahead of schedule.Responding to a question about Sunday's meeting, Iraq's Opec representative Ali Nazar said attention was focused on balancing the market, whether through increases, maintaining current production, or cuts.Separately, al-Sudani also said there would be arrangements to facilitate the entry of major oil companies to Iraq.In the past two years, Iraq has signed agreements with oil majors that had previously retreated from the country, including Chevron, France's TotalEnergies and UK oil major BP.

The State of Qatar will be the guest of honor at the 26th edition of the Baghdad International Book Fair, which will take place from September 10 to 21.Qatar's participation in the fair underscores the country's commitment to supporting the Arab cultural movement and highlighting Qatari intellectual production in the fields of literature, poetry, thought, and the arts.It also reflects Qatar's prominent cultural standing and underscores the depth of fraternal ties between Qatar and Iraq.Qatar's cultural program at the fair includes intellectual seminars, lectures, and poetry evenings, in addition to performances by the Qatari folklore troupe, which will perform Ardha and other folk arts, reflecting the spirit of authentic cultural heritage.The Qatari pavilion will feature demonstrations of traditional crafts such as goldsmithing and wooden shipbuilding. Visitors will be able to watch and interact with craftspeople at work. In a statement, Director of the Libraries Department at the Ministry of Culture Jassim Ahmed Al Buainain stated that Qatar's participation in the Baghdad International Book Fair as the guest of honor reflects the deep fraternal ties between the two countries and their peoples.It also underscores the importance of culture, which is the ideal bridge for communication and the promotion of human dialogue. This participation, he said, reflects the Ministry of Culture's commitment to supporting the Arab cultural scene, enhancing cooperation with cultural institutions and publishing houses, highlighting the richness of Qatari intellectual production, and presenting a comprehensive image of Qatar that blends contemporary creativity with a rich cultural heritage.He explained that the Qatari pavilion in the fair features a design inspired by traditional Qatari architecture, embodying national identity and expressing the connection between the past and the present in a style that combines authenticity and the spirit of innovation.He noted that the pavilion offers a comprehensive cultural experience that goes beyond book displays, allowing visitors to explore the diversity of Qatar's cultural landscape, from literature, thought, and the arts to living heritage and traditional crafts.The Director of the Libraries Department at the Ministry of Culture added that the Qatari pavilion will also host a photo exhibition featuring shots of Qatar's modern landmarks, traditional architecture, and scenes of daily life, in addition to the beauty of Qatar's land and marine environment.

Opec+ leader Saudi Arabia wants the group to consider reviving more oil production ahead of its scheduled return at the end of next year amid a push to reclaim market share, people familiar with the matter said.Key alliance members will hold a video conference on Sunday that will consider what to do with a 1.66mn barrels a day tranche of halted supplies, having just fast-tracked the return of a previous layer over the past five months.No decision has been made, and it’s not clear whether any increase would be agreed as soon as Sunday or only in later months, some of the people said. Saudi Arabia, which drove the accelerated restart in a bid to recapture global market share, wants to further boost production as it seeks to offset lower prices with higher volumes, they said. Any proposal to increase production could run into opposition from other members keen to prop up prices.If it happens, such a move would cement a dramatic Opec+ strategy shift toward defending market share over prices, piling pressure on some member nations, especially those that can’t pump more. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to visit Washington in November to meet President Donald Trump, who’s called for lower fuel prices.A range of options remains possible, including pausing hikes for a period, the people added. The Opec+ alliance is jointly led by Saudi Arabia and Russia.Delegates from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries have said Saudi Arabia is eager to claw back sales volumes ceded to rivals like US shale drillers.“Our latest soundings from the group suggest they are very much considering unwinding that final tranche” of halted supply “sooner rather than later,” Livia Gallarati, global crude lead at Energy Aspects Ltd, said in a Bloomberg television interview. In practice, any volumes added to the market would be smaller than pledged because of spare-capacity constraints, she added.Officials in Saudi Arabia weren’t immediately available for comment outside the country’s normal office hours.Further production increases by Opec+ threaten to swell a surplus in the fourth quarter anticipated by forecasters like the International Energy Agency, adding to downward pressure on prices. Even so, oil futures which initially fell when the group began restoring its 2.2mn barrels a day of shuttered supply back in April have actually rallied since.While extra oil would be a boon for consumers and a win for Trump, it’s a financial threat for producers from the US shale industry to Opec+ members themselves.The majority of crude traders surveyed by Bloomberg this week had expected Opec+ to pause before proceeding with any further increases, as global markets are already on track for a surplus this year. That was before Reuters reported the possibility of an increase.Brent futures are down roughly 10% this year, trading around $65.70 a barrel in London on Friday. Goldman Sachs Group Inc predicted in a note that the international benchmark will slump to the low-$50s next year as markets face oversupply.Trump has called for lower prices in order to cushion the cost of living, and tame inflation while he presses the Federal Reserve to reduce interest rates. The president has also said that weaker prices will help him pressure Russia to end its war against Ukraine.Sunday’s meeting is one of the countries’ regular monthly gatherings to review the oil market and adherence with existing supply restrictions.

Oil prices extended losses for a third consecutive session in early trading Friday as markets awaited the outcome of an OPEC+ meeting scheduled for Sunday that will discuss the possibility of further production increases.Brent Crude futures fell 23 cents, or 0.3%, to $66.77 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped 19 cents, or 0.3%, to $63.29. At the upcoming meeting, OPEC+ members will weigh an additional output hike in October. Such a move would begin to unwind a second tranche of production cuts totaling about 1.65 million barrels per day, equivalent to 1.6% of global demand, more than a year ahead of schedule.The group currently accounts for roughly half of the world's oil supply. On the supply side, US crude inventories unexpectedly rose by 2.4 million barrels last week as refineries entered seasonal maintenance. Analysts had forecast a 2-million-barrel draw, while data from the American Petroleum Institute indicated a smaller build of around 600,000 barrels.

Eight Opec+ countries to meet on SundayOpec+ could also pause hikes for October, source saysNo immediate comment received from Opec or Saudi authoritiesEight Opec+ members will consider further raising oil production at a meeting on Sunday, two sources familiar with the discussions said, as the group seeks to regain market share.Opec+ has reversed its strategy of output cuts from April and has already raised quotas by about 2.5mn barrels per day, about 2.4% of world demand, to boost market share and under pressure from US President Donald Trump to lower oil prices.But those increases have failed to bring down oil prices, which traded near $68 a barrel supported by Western sanctions on Russia and Iran, encouraging further production gains in rivals such as the US.Another output boost would mean Opec+, which pumps about half of the world's oil, would be starting to unwind a second layer of cuts of about 1.65mn barrels per day, or 1.6% of world demand, more than a year ahead of schedule.Eight Opec+ countries are due to hold an online meeting on Sunday expected to decide on October output.Opec+ includes the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plus Russia and other allies.There is also a chance, some analysts and an Opec+ source said, that Opec+ could pause the increases for October. A final decision has not been made, the Opec+ source said.Opec headquarters and authorities in Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Brent crude was trading near $68 on Wednesday, down over 1% on the day but up from a 2025 low of near $58 in April.As well as sanctions, the Opec+ hikes falling short of the pledged amounts have also supported prices, analysts have said.Until April, Opec+ had been curtailing production for several years to support oil prices.At their last meeting in August, the eight members raised production by 547,000 bpd for September, completing a total increase in output for the year of 2.5mn bpd. That included a 300,000 bpd additional production allocation for the UAE.The next output cut layer of 1.65mn bpd is in place until the end of 2026, as is another 2mn bpd of cuts by the whole group.