Saudi Arabia, Palestine Agree to Establish Business Council 

Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Moejeb Alhwaizy and Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mazen Mohammed Rateb Ghanem meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Moejeb Alhwaizy and Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mazen Mohammed Rateb Ghanem meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Palestine Agree to Establish Business Council 

Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Moejeb Alhwaizy and Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mazen Mohammed Rateb Ghanem meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Moejeb Alhwaizy and Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mazen Mohammed Rateb Ghanem meet in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Hassan Moejeb Alhwaizy and Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mazen Mohammed Rateb Ghanem agreed in Riyadh on Tuesday to the establishment of the first Saudi-Palestinian Business Council.

The initiative aims to increase trade and investment between the two countries.

The private sector in the Kingdom aligns with the directives of the wise leadership in supporting the Palestinian people, remarked Alhwaizy.

He emphasized the importance of empowering Palestinian business owners to invest in the Kingdom and promote Palestinian products and industries in Saudi markets.

He underscored the Federation's support for organizing exhibitions and conferences to promote Palestinian products with the participation of the Saudi Chambers of Commerce.



Gold Falls as Easing US-China Tensions Curb Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth//File Photo
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Gold Falls as Easing US-China Tensions Curb Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth//File Photo

Gold retreated on Monday as easing US-China trade tensions boosted investors' risk appetite and dented demand for safe-haven assets such as bullion, while a stronger dollar also piled on the pressure.

Spot gold was down 0.8% at $3,292.43 an ounce, as of 0431 GMT. Bullion hit a record high of $3,500.05 on April 22.

US gold futures rose 0.2% to $3,303.70.

The dollar rose 0.2% against a basket of currencies, making bullion more expensive for overseas buyers, Reuters reported.

"It's probably fair to say that financial markets and risk-assets in particular are feeling slightly better about the tariff picture now compared to the frantic first week in April," KCM Trade Chief Market Analyst Tim Waterer said.

"Comments last week from the White House have fueled optimism that a US-China trade deal may eventuate, which has caused safe-haven demand for assets such as gold to subside."

US President Donald Trump has said talks on tariffs were taking place with China.

The Trump administration signaled openness last week to de-escalating a trade war between the world's two largest economies that has raised fears of recession.

On Friday, China exempted some US imports from its steep tariffs, though China quickly knocked down Trump's assertion that negotiations were underway.

Gold, traditionally seen as a hedge against economic and political uncertainties, thrives in a low interest rate environment.

Meanwhile, many participants in the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings said Trump's administration was still conflicted in its demands from trading partners hit with his sweeping tariffs.

Key data releases this week include the US job openings report on Tuesday, Personal Consumption Expenditures on Wednesday, and the non-farm payrolls report on Friday. These reports may provide more insight into the Federal Reserve's monetary policy outlook.

Spot silver dropped 0.6% to $32.88 an ounce, platinum eased 0.2% at $969.73 and palladium lost 0.6% to $943.28.