Russian oil production in December stood unchanged at 11.21 million barrels per day (bpd), flat month on month and at its highest in almost 30 years, energy ministry data showed on Monday. In 2016 in total, output reached 10.96 million bpd, up from 10.72 million in 2015. Source: Reuters
The Public Debt Management Agency (PDMA) announced on Tuesday it successfully auctioned six-month treasury bills at a historic low interest rate of minus 0.12%. The 26-week T-bill auction was originally planned to fetch 625 million euros. Source Ekathemirini
The European Union is backing former Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to head the World Trade Organization, sending a signal of trust in Africa, an EU official said on Monday.
Okonjo-Iweala and South Korean trade minister Yoo Myung-hee are vying to be the first female leader in the WTO’s 25-year history, replacing Brazilian Roberto Azevedo, who quit a year earlier than expected at the end of August. Source Reuters
The US State Department on Oct. 20 widened the scope of sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline and warned companies involved in the final installation that they face sanctions if they do not wind down activities within 30 days. Source Spglobal
