Saudi Arabia Establishes $8 Billion Export Bank

Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khaled Al-Falih addressing the IKTVA Forum in Dhahran on Wednesday -SPA
Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khaled Al-Falih addressing the IKTVA Forum in Dhahran on Wednesday -SPA
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Saudi Arabia Establishes $8 Billion Export Bank

Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khaled Al-Falih addressing the IKTVA Forum in Dhahran on Wednesday -SPA
Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khaled Al-Falih addressing the IKTVA Forum in Dhahran on Wednesday -SPA

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al Falih made a massive announcement on Wednesday saying that an export bank will be launched with a capital of $8 billion to support overseas sales by its industrial and mining projects, energy.

Falih added that 5 billion riyals have been allocated as a first installment this year.

“A bank for exports with a capital of SR30 billion will be established to encourage and support exports, and SR5 billion have been allocated as a first installment this year,” he said while addressing the annual In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) Forum organized by Saudi Aramco.

Iktva is Saudi Aramco's In-Kingdom Total Value Add initiative, and the forum aims to highlights the importance of “small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in driving value creation and innovation.

Falih said that talks about upgrading capacities of industry and logistics services will not be complete without first talking about government funding for industrial and mining projects.

He cited that the Saudi Fund for Industrial Development (SIDF) capital has been boosted several times, from SR500 million at its inception to SR65 billion this year.

Falih said the IKTVA initiative forms a practical and creative model in which spending is directed towards stimulating industrial and logistic development in the Kingdom and developing national competencies.

He stressed that the program is ambitious with a spending volume of over SR1 trillion over ten years by Saudi Aramco.

The energy minister talked about national industrial development programs and logistics services that contribute to realizing the vision of the Kingdom 2030.



Gold Hits One-month High as Prospects for Fed Cuts Rise on Softer US Inflation Data

Gold prices firmed near one-month highs hit earlier on Thursday - File Photo
Gold prices firmed near one-month highs hit earlier on Thursday - File Photo
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Gold Hits One-month High as Prospects for Fed Cuts Rise on Softer US Inflation Data

Gold prices firmed near one-month highs hit earlier on Thursday - File Photo
Gold prices firmed near one-month highs hit earlier on Thursday - File Photo

Gold prices firmed near one-month highs hit earlier on Thursday after a softer-than-expected core US inflation print increased chances of two Federal Reserve rate cuts this year, with the first likely in June.

Spot gold gained 0.3% to $2,704.56 per ounce as of 0934 GMT after hitting its highest level since Dec. 12 earlier in the session. US gold futures gained 0.7% to $2,736.50.

Further gains in safe-haven bullion were, however, limited as Hamas and Israel reached a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza after 15 months of conflict and heightened Middle East tensions, according to Reuters.

Gold rallied to multiple-record highs and is still up nearly 50% since the war began in October 2023.

"Although de-escalating geopolitical tensions can dilute demand for safe havens, bullion is still holding on to most of its post-CPI gains, suggesting that the Fed rate outlook remains the primary driver for gold prices," said Exinity Group chief market analyst Han Tan.

"Gold should find itself in a supportive environment, so long as market participants can hold on to expectations for Fed rate cuts in 2025."

Interest rate futures traders are pricing in near-even odds that the Fed would reduce rates twice by the end of this year, with the first reduction to come in June. Before the inflation data on Wednesday, futures were only pricing a single quarter-point interest-rate cut in 2025.

Core US inflation increased 0.2% in December after rising 0.3% for four straight months.

Central bank officials noted US inflation continues to ease after Wednesday's data, but foresee uncertainty due to anticipated Trump administration policies.

Investors are worried that the potential for tariffs after Donald Trump re-enters the White House next week could stoke inflation and limit the Fed's ability to lower rates to a greater extent.

Non-yielding bullion, a hedge against inflation, loses its appeal with higher interest rates.

Elsewhere, spot silver rose 0.7% to $30.87 per ounce and platinum firmed 0.6% to $944.23, while palladium fell 0.8% to $953.49.