Expo! Expo! MENA Opens in Riyadh

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events holds Expo! Expo! MENA in Riyadh
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events holds Expo! Expo! MENA in Riyadh
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Expo! Expo! MENA Opens in Riyadh

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events holds Expo! Expo! MENA in Riyadh
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events holds Expo! Expo! MENA in Riyadh

Riyadh International Exhibition and Conference Center, in partnership with the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA), hosts on Sunday the Expo! Expo! MENA exhibition, organized by 1st Arabia Tradeshows and Conferences.

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events holds Expo! Expo! MENA in Riyadh, marking the debut of the event outside the US, where it takes place each December.

The three-day exhibition acts as a platform for exchanging opinions and experience, finding opportunities, capabilities and solutions, learning about the latest developments in the industry, as well as showcasing the Saudi experience, which has become a milestone in the exhibition, conference and events sector.

1st Arabia Tradeshows and Conferences CEO Bilal Al-Barmawi said that more than 100 exhibitors from different countries participate in the exhibition, where Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority Acting CEO Amjad Shaker delivers the opening speech.

There’s also a lineup of speakers from different countries, authorities and organizations.

Throughout the working sessions, decision makers and experts will present best practices, innovations, new services and products, and there will be opportunities to strike partnerships and develop the business.

The exhibition enables participants and attendees to learn about investment opportunities in the Kingdom, which will help boost the sector and achieve its goals in line with Vision 2030.



Gold Gains Traction on Weak US Economic Data

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
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Gold Gains Traction on Weak US Economic Data

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold prices edged up on Wednesday after data suggesting lacklustre US economic activity kept alive hopes for at least one interest rate cut this year.

Spot gold was up 0.1% at $2,330.27 per ounce as of 1156 GMT. Prices rose about 0.4% in the previous session.

US retail sales barely rose in May and figures for the prior month were revised considerably lower, data showed on Tuesday, suggesting economic activity remained lacklustre in the second quarter, Reuters reported.

That slightly boosted the odds of a Federal Reserve rate cut in September to 67% from 61% a day earlier, the CME FedWatch tool showed.

The main drive for gold's price action remains the market expectations over the Fed's monetary policy and despite prices creeping up, the move is quite subdued as the market waits for more substantial news, said Ricardo Evangelista, senior analyst at ActivTrades.

Lower interest rates reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.

"Market expectations point to at least one rate cut from the Fed. That scenario has been fully priced in the value of the dollar. Government purchases (of gold) remain stable as well. So, unless there is any significant change in this scenario, prices are expected to remain supported above the $2,300 level," Evangelista said.

Gold prices rose about 1.3% last Friday on signs of inflation cooling in the United States amid a selloff across European equities as French stocks were battered by political turmoil.

Political uncertainty surrounding Europe can be a positive, with elections in France and the UK nearing, Kinesis Money market analyst Carlo Alberto De Casa said.

The more immediate focus, however, is on the US weekly jobless claims data on Thursday and flash purchasing managers' indexes on Friday.

Spot silver was up 0.1% at $29.54 per ounce, platinum rose 1.1% to $983.45 and palladium gained 1.9% to $904.00.