ACWA Power Signs $738 Million Worth Agreements to Finance Water Desalination Project in the Emirates

The headquarters of ACWA Power
The headquarters of ACWA Power
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ACWA Power Signs $738 Million Worth Agreements to Finance Water Desalination Project in the Emirates

The headquarters of ACWA Power
The headquarters of ACWA Power

Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power announced on Thursday the signing of agreements with a group of local and international banks to secure the funding of the Hassyan Independent Water Producer (IWP) plant in Dubai.
In a statement, the company said it secured SAR 2.76 billion from local and international lenders for a period of 32.5 years.
The banks proving the funding include Standard Chartered, MUFG Bank, Emirates NBD, Korea Development Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP), Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Boubyan Bank, and Saudi EXIM Bank.
The loan agreements were signed by Hassyan Water Company, which is owned 20.40 percent by ACWA Power.

For its part, the Saudi Export-Import Bank announced that it had signed a financing agreement with ACWA Power worth $75 million to finance the Hassyan complex project.

The bank said, in a post on X, that the aim of the financing was “to enable Saudi content in international projects, in a way that enhances the development of Saudi non-oil exports, and stimulates projects that are compatible with the principles of sustainability.”



Gold Hits Another Record as Tensions Flare over Gaza, Trump Tariffs

Jewellery is displayed at the Gold Souk market in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo
Jewellery is displayed at the Gold Souk market in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo
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Gold Hits Another Record as Tensions Flare over Gaza, Trump Tariffs

Jewellery is displayed at the Gold Souk market in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo
Jewellery is displayed at the Gold Souk market in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo

Gold hit another record high above $3,000 on Tuesday, with investors seeking the metal as a haven from risk as conflict flared in the Middle East and US President Donald Trump pressed on with tariff plans.

Spot gold hit a peak of $3,028.24 in early trade, and by 0927 was up 0.7% at $3,023.30 an ounce. Prices climbed above $3,000 for the first time on March 14. US gold futures gained 0.9% to $3,032.

"There is a perfect storm of gold-supporting factors," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank. "The latest focus is the Middle East concerns that come on top of economic concerns about the direction of the US."

Bullion, which is considered a hedge against geopolitical and economic instability, has gained more than 14% year-to-date and has struck record highs 14 times this year, according to Reuters.

Israeli airstrikes pounded Gaza, killing 326 people, Palestinian health authorities said on Tuesday, and collapsing a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.

Elsewhere, Donald Trump has floated plans for a series of US tariffs, including a flat 25% duty on steel and aluminium which came into effect in February, as well as reciprocal and sectoral tariffs that he said will be imposed on April 2.

Spotlight was also on the US Federal Reserve and other central bank meetings this week. The Fed has held interest rates steady so far this year after executing three rate cuts in 2024, but the market expects easing to resume in June.

"You have got the FOMC in the US amid quite a chaotic tariff policy backdrop that could send gold potentially even higher if they have a somewhat dovish stance on rates," said Nitesh Shah, commodities strategist at WisdomTree.

ANZ raised its three-month gold price forecast to $3,100 and its six-month forecast to $3,200, while UBS set a price target of $3,200 for this year.

Silver gained 0.6% to $34.03 an ounce, platinum added 0.6% to $1,005.70, and palladium climbed 1.4% to $977.96.