Egyptian Minister of Cooperation: Govt Proposals are Open to All, Including China

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat speaks at a panel discussion at the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat speaks at a panel discussion at the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Egyptian Minister of Cooperation: Govt Proposals are Open to All, Including China

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat speaks at a panel discussion at the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat speaks at a panel discussion at the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat said on Sunday government proposals are open to all countries, including China.  

Speaking at the “Investment and Financing Along the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)” panel discussion at the two-day 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, Mashat lauded the strong ties between Egypt and China, noting that the Suez Canal Corridor attracts Chinese companies in various fields.  

The Minister stressed that green transformation is one of the essential sectors, saying that it provides opportunities for cooperation between companies in the Arab world and international companies.  

Participants discussed the role of the Belt and Road initiative in promoting economic growth and development in China and the Arab countries and reviewed successful examples of existing partnerships.  

She explained that the Belt and Road Initiative began in 2013 and is a long-term strategy to enhance cooperation and integration between Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.  

According to the Minister, every country has a strategic vision and seeks to achieve sustainable development goals.  

She explained that the Suez Canal attracted Chinese companies, including TEDA, an industrial developer in the economic zone of Ain Sokhna.  

The Minister pointed out that China was keen to provide funds to the countries of the Belt and Road Initiative to establish development infrastructure projects, stressing the importance of the role of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in increasing Chinese investments in Egypt.  

She explained that development funds are long-term that serve development in general, whether roads, ports, or railways, citing the role of Arab funds in financing the electrical interconnection project between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.  

The 10th Arab-China Business Conference, the largest ever cooperation between the two parties, aims to explore inter-investment opportunities in various sectors. 



Gold Retreats as Investors Await US Economic Data

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
TT

Gold Retreats as Investors Await US Economic Data

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold prices eased on Monday, weighed down by a firmer dollar and higher Treasury yields while traders await a slew of US economic data for guidance on the US Federal Reserve's interest rate stance.

Spot gold lost 0.5% to $2,732.98 an ounce by 1230 GMT. Bullion hit a record high of $2,758.37 last Wednesday, lifted by safe-haven demand in the face of market risks from continuing conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine.

US gold futures declined 0.3% to $2,745.10.

The dollar index was on track for its best month since April 2022, with the currency's strength making gold less attractive for buyers holding other currencies. Yields on benchmark 10-year Treasuries, meanwhile, rose to a three-month high.

"Prospects of lower US interest rates have room to support further investment demand and lift gold prices. We look for gold to hit $2,900/oz in 12 months," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Major data due this week includes ADP employment on Wednesday, US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) numbers on Thursday and Friday's payrolls report.

Traders see a nearly 97% chance of an interest rate cut of 25 basis points by the Fed in November, which would provide further support for non-yielding gold, Reuters reported.

On the physical front, Chinese gold consumption dropped 11.2% year on year in first three quarters of 2024 as high prices dented demand for jewellery, the state-backed gold association said.

"While physical demand in Asia, particularly in China, has been weak lately, I guess the focus when it comes to gold demand is shifting from East to West," Staunovo added.

Spot silver was down 0.8% at $33.42 an ounce and platinum lost 0.3% to $1,019.30.

Palladium eased 0.6% to $1,186.73, having hit a 10-month high in the previous session after the news that the United States asked Group of Seven allies to consider additional ways to restrict Russian revenue from the metals sector by exploring restrictions on palladium and titanium.