Egypt Approves $200 Million in Energy Projects

Egyptian cabinet met on Tuesday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian cabinet met on Tuesday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt Approves $200 Million in Energy Projects

Egyptian cabinet met on Tuesday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian cabinet met on Tuesday (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt approved five agreements for gas and crude oil exploration projects for a number of international and national companies, with expected investments of about $200 million, the Egyptian Cabinet said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The Cabinet approved five projects for petroleum commitment agreements for the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), and a number of international and national companies, with expected investments of about $200 million,” the statement said.

The agreements included a draft commitment agreement to search for and exploit gas and crude oil in the North Port Fouad offshore area in the Mediterranean between EGAS and IEOC Production BV.

The agreements further included a draft commitment agreement to search for and exploit gas and crude oil in the South Nour offshore area in the Mediterranean Sea, between EGAS and IEOC Production BV.

The Cabinet approved another draft commitment agreement for the exploration and exploitation of gas and crude oil in the North Al Khatatbah onshore area in the Nile Delta between EGAS and ZN BV LTD.

The draft agreements also included a draft amendment to the commitment agreement to search for, develop, and exploit oil in the Horus Development Area in the Western Desert between EGPC, Tharwa Petroleum Company, and the General Petroleum Company (GPC).

Another draft commitment agreement was approved to search for, develop, and exploit oil in the South Dabaa Development Zone (SD-3) in the Western Desert between EGPC and HPS International Egypt Limited.



Gold Prices Hold Steady as Investors Await US Fed Policy Cues

A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
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Gold Prices Hold Steady as Investors Await US Fed Policy Cues

A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)

Gold prices remained steady on Wednesday, as investors awaited the US Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates due later in the day, while also focusing on US President Donald Trump's trade policies following his tariff threats.

Spot gold eased 0.2% to $2,758.49 per ounce by 09:55 a.m. ET (1455 GMT), while US gold futures rose 0.3% to $2,775.60, widening the premium over spot gold rates.

The Fed is scheduled to release its latest policy decision and statement at 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT), with Fed Chair Jerome Powell due to hold a press conference half an hour later to elaborate on the meeting.

The US central bank is widely expected to hold interest rates steady as it awaits further inflation and jobs data and more clarity on the economic impact of Trump's policies before deciding whether to cut borrowing costs again.

"However, the Fed's commentary in regards to the potential for an interest rate cut in the March meeting is going to be in focus," said David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures.

Gold prices neared all-time highs last week after Trump called for lower interest rates. Bullion tends to thrive in a low-interest-rate environment as it yields no interest.

Prices, however, retreated sharply on Monday as a sell-off in technology stocks, driven by Chinese AI model DeepSeek, sparked a rush to liquidate bullion to counter losses, according to Reuters.

The sell-off in the stock market seen on Monday may not be over and the unpredictability of Trump's policies is contributing to an increased demand for gold as a safe-haven, said Jim Wyckoff, a senior market analyst at Kitco Metals.

Trump still plans to make good on his promise to issue tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and his policies are widely seen as inflationary.

Elsewhere, spot silver gained 1.7% to $30.92 per ounce, platinum also added 0.5% to $946.45. Palladium was up 0.8% to $962.50.