Thailand's Finance Minister: The budget for fiscal year 2027 will be optimized, and unnecessary spending will be cut.

Crude Oil: 1. Attacks on multiple Saudi energy facilities have disrupted operations, resulting in a loss of 700,000 barrels of oil transported daily. 2. Sources say Middle Eastern oil producers have requested Asian refiners to submit their April and May loading plans. 3. Thai Finance Minister: Due to the Middle East conflict, Thailand expects oil prices to remain high for up to two years. 4. Reuters estimates: Russia's energy extraction tax revenue in April is expected to double compared to March, reaching $9 billion. 5. CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company: The longer the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the more severe the consequences will be. 6. Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation: By 2040, India's annual jet fuel demand will increase to over 20 million tons, compared to the current 8 million tons. 7. Goldman Sachs: If the Strait of Hormuz is closed for another month, the average price of Brent crude oil will exceed $100 per barrel by the end of 2026. Natural Gas: 1. India's Petroleum Minister departs for Qatar to seek expedited liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies. 2. Ukraine's Energy Minister: Ukraine plans to store 14.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas in underground storage facilities before the next heating season. 3. Shell expects to produce its first natural gas from the Loran-Manatee offshore gas field in Venezuela-Trinidad by mid-2027. Precious Metals and Mining: 1. Argentina passes mining reform bill, easing investment restrictions in glacial regions. 2. Venezuela passes new mining law aimed at securing US support and foreign investment. 3. Iran decides to fully and officially resume operations across all its gold trading units nationwide starting Saturday. 4. Zimbabwe's Deputy Finance Minister: Zimbabwe's gold trade remains robust through the Middle East. 5. Czech Central Bank: Data shows that as of the end of March, gold reserves were close to 77 tons (compared to approximately 75 tons in February). 6. Governor of the Central Bank of Poland: Will continue to purchase gold, currently holds 580 tons of gold, and reiterated the goal of increasing gold reserves to 700 tons.

NEW ZEALAND SPEAKER BROWNLEE TO LEAD DELEGATION VISIT TO CHINA FROM APRIL 12 TO 16-XINHUA