0054 GMT - Singapore's refineries have taken on a sudden strategic importance for regional economies in light of the war of the Middle East, says DBS chief economist Taimur Baig. That's because countries like Australia and New Zealand are big importers of refined petroleum from Singapore, he says. Such economies are now very keen to know if Singapore can continue refining at the same quantities that it has in the past. Baig says there are no signs of a pullback yet, but if refiners can't get enough LNG from the Middle East and production from elsewhere is earmarked in long-term contracts, that'll be a problem. "They can't just turn on the tap and make more LNG," so the hope is that more shipments will start to flow from the Middle East. (fabiana.negrinochoa@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 01, 2026 20:54 ET (00:54 GMT)
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