India's Space Sector Adds $60 Billion to GDP

This screen grab made from video footage from ISRO via AFPTV taken on July 14, 2023 shows an Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) rocket carrying the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft lifting off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, an island off the coast of southern Andhra Pradesh state. AFP
This screen grab made from video footage from ISRO via AFPTV taken on July 14, 2023 shows an Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) rocket carrying the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft lifting off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, an island off the coast of southern Andhra Pradesh state. AFP
TT

India's Space Sector Adds $60 Billion to GDP

This screen grab made from video footage from ISRO via AFPTV taken on July 14, 2023 shows an Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) rocket carrying the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft lifting off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, an island off the coast of southern Andhra Pradesh state. AFP
This screen grab made from video footage from ISRO via AFPTV taken on July 14, 2023 shows an Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) rocket carrying the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft lifting off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, an island off the coast of southern Andhra Pradesh state. AFP

The Indian space sector has in the last 10 years contributed $60 billion to GDP, as well as generated 4.7 million jobs in the country, a report showed on Saturday.

The report by global consulting firm Novaspace, commissioned by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), was released by Union Minister of State for Space Jitendra Singh on the occasion of National Space Day.

It showed that in the last years, the country invested nearly $13 billion in the space sector.

Through direct, indirect, and induced benefits, the sector contributed $60 billion to the national GDP, according to India’s news channel, NDTV.

Steve Bochinger, affiliate executive adviser at Novaspace, said that from $3.8 billion in 2014, the sector's estimated revenues increased to $6.3 billion in 2023.

Bochinger also noted that the Indian space sector generated 4.7 million jobs, and “directly employs 96,000 persons through the public and the private sector.”



Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

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
TT

Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

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 prices rose over 1% to hit a two-week peak on Friday, heading for the best weekly performance in more than a year, buoyed by safe-haven demand as Russia-Ukraine tensions intensified.

Spot gold jumped 1.3% to $2,703.05 per ounce as of 1245 GMT, hitting its highest since Nov. 8. US gold futures gained 1.1% to $2,705.30.

Bullion rose despite the US dollar hitting a 13-month high, while bitcoin hit a record peak and neared the $100,000 level.

"With both gold and USD (US dollar) rising, it seems that safe-haven demand is lifting both assets," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Ukraine's military said its drones struck four oil refineries, radar stations and other military installations in Russia, Reuters reported.

Gold has gained over 5% so far this week, its best weekly performance since October 2023. Prices have gained around $173 after slipping to a two-month low last week.

"We understand that the price setback has been used by 'Western world' investors under-allocated to gold to build exposure considering the geopolitical risks that are still around. So we continue to expect gold to rise further over the coming months," Staunovo said.

Bullion tends to shine during geopolitical tensions, economic risks, and a low interest rate environment. Markets are pricing in a 59.4% chance of a 25-basis-points cut at the Fed's December meeting, per the CME Fedwatch tool.

However, "if Fed skips or pauses its rate cut in December, that will be negative for gold prices and we could see some pullback," said Soni Kumari, a commodity strategist at ANZ.

The Chicago Federal Reserve president reiterated his support for further US interest rate cuts on Thursday.

On Friday, spot silver rose 1.8% to $31.34 per ounce, platinum eased 0.1% to $960.13 and palladium fell 0.6% to $1,023.55. All three metals were on track for a weekly rise.