Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has restructured its hydrocarbon sector by splitting the state oil company from the oil ministry in a move that consolidates the power of the king’s son over the economy. King Salman bin Abdel Aziz al-Saud formed the 10-member Supreme Council for Saudi Aramco, headed by his son, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to oversee Saudi Aramco, the state oil company.
The council will include the ministers of oil, finance, economy and the central bank governor, among others. It is the latest measure to concentrate power in the hands of the prince, who this week was picked as second in line to the throne. In January, his father appointed him defense minister and head of the council on economic and development affairs, which will co-ordinate economic reforms as the kingdom copes with lower oil prices...............................................Full Article: Source
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