Saudi Arabia, China Sign MoU in Accounting, Auditing, and Professional Practices

These agreements underscore GCA's elevated professional standing, at both regional and international levels - SPA
These agreements underscore GCA's elevated professional standing, at both regional and international levels - SPA
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Saudi Arabia, China Sign MoU in Accounting, Auditing, and Professional Practices

These agreements underscore GCA's elevated professional standing, at both regional and international levels - SPA
These agreements underscore GCA's elevated professional standing, at both regional and international levels - SPA

General Court of Audit (GCA) President Dr. Hussam Al-Angari and Auditor General of the National Audit Office (CNAO) of the People’s Republic of China Hou Kai signed in Beijing a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of accounting, auditing, and professional work.
Al-Angari issued a statement expressing thanks and gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers for authorizing him to sign this memorandum, which is one of other similar agreements GCA has reached with counterpart organizations in different countries, SPA reported.
These agreements underscore GCA's elevated professional standing, at both regional and international levels, and its important role in sharing professional experience with counterpart Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) that are members of regional and international organizations for supreme audit and accounting institutions.
The memorandum aims to bolster collaboration between GCA and CNAO, specifically in the field of financial auditing, compliance and performance auditing. Such collaboration will be realized through various research and consulting projects, as well as holding of meetings, conferences, and training programs, all conducted within the framework of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions and Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions, of which the two parties are active members.
Saudi Ambassador to China Abdul Rahman Al-Harbi attended the signing ceremony.



Gold Steady as Focus Shifts to US Data for Economic Cues

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 Steady as Focus Shifts to US Data for Economic Cues

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 were little changed on Monday, while investors awaited a slew of US economic data including the December nonfarm payrolls report for further guidance on the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates.
Spot gold held its ground at $2,635.39 per ounce by 0510 GMT. US gold futures dropped 0.2% to $2,646.80.
How the US jobs data fares this week could hold the key to whether gold breaks out of its recent range, said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.
"There is a plethora of US data due for release this week (including ISM Services PMI data), and any downside misses could hurt the USD and help gold."
The US jobs report, due on Friday, is expected to provide more clues to the Fed's rate outlook after the US central bank rattled markets last month by reducing its projected cuts for 2025.
Investors are also awaiting ADP hiring and job openings data, as well as minutes of the Fed's last policy meeting for further direction.
Gold flourishes in a low-interest-rate environment and serves as a hedge against geopolitical uncertainties and inflation.
US President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to office on Jan. 20 and his proposed tariffs and protectionist policies are expected to fuel inflation.
This could prompt the Fed to go slow on rate cuts, limiting gold's upside. After three rate cuts in 2024, the Fed has projected only two reductions for 2025 due to persistent inflation.
The US central bank's benchmark policy rate should stay restrictive until it is more certain that inflation is returning to its 2% target, Richmond Federal Reserve President Thomas Barkin said on Friday.
Spot silver was down 0.2% at $29.57 per ounce, platinum dipped 0.7% to $931.30 and palladium fell 0.4% to $918.22.