SAMA Governor: Establishing UAB Regional Office in Saudi Arabia will Support the Union

SAMA Governor Ayman al-Sayari
SAMA Governor Ayman al-Sayari
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SAMA Governor: Establishing UAB Regional Office in Saudi Arabia will Support the Union

SAMA Governor Ayman al-Sayari
SAMA Governor Ayman al-Sayari

The Union of Arab Banks (UAB) conference announced on Monday the establishment of a regional office in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) Governor Ayman al-Sayari confirmed the establishment of the regional office in Saudi Arabia, saying it will support the Union and provide needed services amid the recent economic developments, global political changes, and global state of uncertainty that impact the monetary policy developments.

The developments prompted many central banks to adopt strict monetary policies to curb the ongoing price rises.

Sayari explained that these strict policies led the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reduce its expectations for global economic growth to three percent during 2023, accompanied by high fluctuations in global markets and the increasing challenges facing emerging economies.

He pointed out that global economic challenges require a rigorous follow-up and analysis of the developments to ensure the ability to deal with their effects and develop the financial and banking systems, including financial technologies.

SAMA announced the launch of the annual conference, organized by the Union of Arab Banks in Riyadh, on Monday under the patronage of the Governor of SAMA.

During the five main sessions, the panel will discuss 21 economic and financial topics and organize a technical workshop.



Safe-Haven Gold Firms as Biden Move Sparks Market Uncertainty

A jeweler shows a gold bar at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on May 20, 2024. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
A jeweler shows a gold bar at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on May 20, 2024. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
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Safe-Haven Gold Firms as Biden Move Sparks Market Uncertainty

A jeweler shows a gold bar at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on May 20, 2024. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
A jeweler shows a gold bar at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on May 20, 2024. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)

Gold prices firmed on Monday as the dollar eased following US President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, with investors turning to bullion as a hedge against an uncertain political and market outlook.
Spot gold rose 0.2% at $2,405.40 per ounce, as of 0510 GMT, while US gold futures gained 0.3% to $2,407.20, Reuters reported.
The prospect of rate cuts and political uncertainty in the United States are supporting gold prices, and conditions are in place for gold to see another record high before the end of 2024, said Kyle Rodda, a financial market analyst at Capital.com.
Making bullion more attractive to buyers holding other currencies, the dollar eased in the initial reaction to US President Joe Biden abandoning his reelection bid, clearing the way for another Democrat to challenge Donald Trump.
When accepting the Republican nomination on Thursday, Trump reiterated his promise to cut corporate taxes and interest rates. Analysts also expect a Trump presidency would make for tougher trade relations, which could result in inflationary tariffs.
"I think there is an almost unstoppable process of decoupling between the US and China, it will only become more severe or accelerate if it is a Trump presidency. Gold will certainly benefit from greater geopolitical tensions," Rodda said.
Prices scaled an all-time high of $2,483.60 last week on increased chances of US interest rate cuts this year, with markets pricing in a 97% chance of a cut in September, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
On the data front, the main focus this week will be on Friday's US personal consumption expenditures (PCE) figure and other data including July S&P Global flash PMIs, advance second-quarter GDP, and weekly jobless claims.
Among other metals, spot silver fell 0.5% to $29.11 per ounce, platinum slipped 0.3% to $959.99, while palladium rose 1.1% to $916.18.