Local, Int’l Partnerships Enhance Market Access for Saudi Products

Saudi EXIM Bank participated in the Riyadh International Industry Week 2024 (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
Saudi EXIM Bank participated in the Riyadh International Industry Week 2024 (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
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Local, Int’l Partnerships Enhance Market Access for Saudi Products

Saudi EXIM Bank participated in the Riyadh International Industry Week 2024 (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
Saudi EXIM Bank participated in the Riyadh International Industry Week 2024 (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)

The Riyadh International Industry Week 2024 concluded on Thursday with the signing of a number of local and international partnerships and agreements, with the aim to promote the access of Saudi products to global markets.
The Saudi Exports Development Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, with the aim to support local industries and facilitate their access to international markets.
The MOU highlights potential areas of cooperation and seeks to encourage firms that are listed in the Future Factories Program to export their products worldwide.
Meanwhile, Alod Company (a Saudi global shipping gateway) signed an agreement with the National Parcel Stations Network Company (Parcelat) to enable its customers to receive and deliver shipments around the clock.
Alod also signed an agreement with Camion aimed at enabling the latter’s customers to automate international and local shipping operations.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Export and Import Bank was able to find credit solutions exceeding SAR 10 billion ($2.6 billion) during the first 4 months of 2024.
The CEO of the Saudi Export-Import Bank, Eng. Saad Al-Khalab, said that the bank seeks to achieve a fourfold increase of the 2024 target number by 2030.
The Saudi Export and Import Bank, which was established in February 2020, aims to promote the development and diversification of national non-oil exports and increase their competitiveness, by providing export financing, guarantee, and export credit insurance services with competitive advantages.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the Riyadh International Industry Week 2024, Al-Khalab said that the bank offered many products that help Saudi exporters expand globally and reduce their export risks, which facilitates their access to new markets.

 



Gold Drops Nearly 2% on Profit-booking, Trump's Treasury Secretary Pick

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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Gold Drops Nearly 2% on Profit-booking, Trump's Treasury Secretary Pick

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 dropped nearly 2% on Monday, weighed down by profit-taking after a five-session rally, with further pressure from the announcement of fund manager Scott Bessent as the next US Treasury secretary.
Spot gold was down 1.8% at $2,664.53 per ounce, as of 0619 GMT, after declining more than 2% earlier in the session. Bullion had hit its highest since Nov. 6 earlier in the day.
US gold futures shed 1.7% to $2,666.40.
Gold's five-session rally has paused due to some profit-taking and Donald Trump's pick of Bessent as the next US Treasury secretary, hinting at tempered use of tariffs and easing US-China trade uncertainty, said IG market strategist Yeap Jun Rong.
President-elect Trump has floated the idea of a 60% tariff on Chinese goods and at least a 10% levy on all other imports.
Gold is considered a safe investment during times of economic and political uncertainty.
Investors are also awaiting minutes of the Federal Reserve's November meeting, GDP data (first revision), and core PCE figures, all due this week.
Traders currently see a 56% chance of another 25-basis-point rate cut in December, compared to 62% last week, according to the CME Fedwatch tool.
Recent less dovish signals from US policymakers suggest any unexpected rise in inflation could strengthen expectations of a rate hold in December, Rong said.
Higher interest rates tend to make gold less appealing, as they yield no interest.
Some Fed policymakers last week expressed concerns that inflation progress may have stalled, advocating for caution, while others emphasized the need for continued rate cuts.
On the geopolitical front, Hezbollah fired heavy rockets at Israel on Sunday, following an Israeli airstrike that killed at least 29 in Beirut. There were reports of damage near Tel Aviv.
Spot silver fell 2.2% to $30.63 per ounce, platinum was down 1.2% to $952.00 and palladium slipped 1% to $998.88.