As President of ICE Futures Abu Dhabi (IFAD) Jamal Oulhadj has a key role to play in arguably the biggest shakeup of Middle East crude pricing in more than a decade. IFAD and the eagerly awaited Murban Crude Oil Futures contract will be launched on 29 March and the finishing touches are now being applied. “We are ready, and we are excited to get going” says Mr Oulhadj.

He’s not alone, with many market participants eagerly circling 29 March in their diary. The first tradable contract upon launch will be for June, with that month’s contract expiring at the end of April. (CONTINUED - 1943 WORDS)