Cruise Saudi, ِAl Madinah Region Development Authority Sign MoU to Boost Tourism Sector

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh. (SPA)
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Cruise Saudi, ِAl Madinah Region Development Authority Sign MoU to Boost Tourism Sector

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh. (SPA)
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh. (SPA)

Cruise Saudi, a wholly owned company by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Al Madinah Region Development Authority signed on Monday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster economic development in historic Madinah Region, with a focus on social impact both locally and across Saudi Arabia, in line with Vision 2030.

Both the Al Madinah Region Development Authority and Cruise Saudi are aligned in their vision to boost accessibility to Madinah, facilitate regional development, and expand infrastructure to accommodate a growing number of tourists. Under the terms of the agreement, both entities will leverage their capabilities and experiences to realize this shared vision.

The MoU was signed during the Saudi Tourism Forum in Riyadh, an annual event dedicated to promoting Saudi Arabia as a tourist destination. The forum served as a fitting platform for both parties to underscore their commitment to elevating tourism in the Madinah region.

With a wealth of historic wonders and modern attractions, including the coastal city of Yanbu, the Madinah region provides a diverse range of experiences for exploration. Cruise Saudi, through its operations in the Red Sea, will play a pivotal role in facilitating the visits of cruise passengers to this culturally rich and historically significant region.

Mashhoor Baeshen, Executive Director, Destinations Development & Management at Cruise Saudi said: “Unique in history and culture, Madinah has so much to offer tourists seeking an authentic Saudi experience. Cruise Saudi’s signing of the MoU with Al Madinah Region Development Authority marks our commitment to showcasing the most significant historical sites of Saudi Arabia through a carefully curated array of onshore experiences.”

The agreement between Cruise Saudi and Al Madinah Region Development Authority aims to enrich the visitors' experience, create jobs, improve facilities, and drive economic growth, but also to support the Kingdom’s wider objective of welcoming 150 million tourists per year by 2030.



Safe-Haven Gold Breaks $2,700/Oz Level as Uncertainty Looms

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
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Safe-Haven Gold Breaks $2,700/Oz Level as Uncertainty Looms

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 breached the $2,700-per-ounce level on Friday for the first time ever, as US election jitters and simmering Middle East tensions boosted safe-haven demand, while a looser monetary policy environment also added fuel to the rally.
Spot gold firmed 0.6% to $2,709.28 per ounce by 0430 GMT and gained 2% this week. US gold futures rose 0.6% to $2,724.50.
Gold could gather further traction given the fluidity of election developments and geopolitical uncertainties, said OCBC FX strategist Christopher Wong.
Hezbollah said it will escalate war with Israel after the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Elsewhere, with less than three weeks remaining to cast votes this US presidential election, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump are stretching for the support of every last voter.
"Gold has scoffed at a surging dollar and rallies at every chance it gets. It's just a bull market that shows no signs of exhaustion," said Tai Wong, a New York-based independent metals trader.
US economic data released overnight pointed to a strengthening economy, which boosted the US dollar. But traders still see a 90% chance of a Federal Reserve rate cut in November. The European Central Bank cut interest rates for the third time this year as the euro zone economy sags.
Lower rates increase the non-yielding bullion's appeal.
Bullion will continue to perform well over the long term, benefiting from the precarious fiscal situations of many Western nations, and the global desire for a store of value independent of other assets and institutions, said Ryan McIntyre, senior portfolio manager at Sprott Asset Management.
Delegates to the London Bullion Market Association's annual gathering
predicted
gold would rise to $2,941 over the next 12 months and silver to $45.
Spot silver rose 0.9% to $31.97 and headed for a weekly gain. Platinum added 0.6% to $997.80 and palladium increased 0.6% to $1,048.55.