Economic, Development Affairs' Council Reviews Housing Plan in Saudi Arabia

Economic, Development Affairs' Council (SPA)
Economic, Development Affairs' Council (SPA)
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Economic, Development Affairs' Council Reviews Housing Plan in Saudi Arabia

Economic, Development Affairs' Council (SPA)
Economic, Development Affairs' Council (SPA)

Saudi Council for Economic and Development Affairs held a meeting, at al-Yamamah Palace on Tuesday and reviewed a number of relevant economic and development issues.

During the meeting, the council reviewed a presentation on the implementation of housing plan and its related strategy, governance regulations, pivotal initiatives related to the housing program, a description of the program and its objectives and an analysis of the status quo and main current challenges.

The council also discussed a report from the Ministry of Communications and IT, aiming at empowering and accelerating digital transformation, in the society as well as the national economy, to achieve the objectives of Vision 2030.

The council concluded the meeting by reviewing a report from the National Center for Performance Measurement "Adaa", including a quarterly results covering the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year, in addition to an analysis of the public apparatuses, the scope of coverage and the main challenges.

The council took the appropriately related recommendations over reviewed issues.



Gold Steady as Focus Shifts to US Data for Economic Cues

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
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Gold Steady as Focus Shifts to US Data for Economic Cues

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold prices were little changed on Monday, while investors awaited a slew of US economic data including the December nonfarm payrolls report for further guidance on the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates.
Spot gold held its ground at $2,635.39 per ounce by 0510 GMT. US gold futures dropped 0.2% to $2,646.80.
How the US jobs data fares this week could hold the key to whether gold breaks out of its recent range, said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.
"There is a plethora of US data due for release this week (including ISM Services PMI data), and any downside misses could hurt the USD and help gold."
The US jobs report, due on Friday, is expected to provide more clues to the Fed's rate outlook after the US central bank rattled markets last month by reducing its projected cuts for 2025.
Investors are also awaiting ADP hiring and job openings data, as well as minutes of the Fed's last policy meeting for further direction.
Gold flourishes in a low-interest-rate environment and serves as a hedge against geopolitical uncertainties and inflation.
US President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to office on Jan. 20 and his proposed tariffs and protectionist policies are expected to fuel inflation.
This could prompt the Fed to go slow on rate cuts, limiting gold's upside. After three rate cuts in 2024, the Fed has projected only two reductions for 2025 due to persistent inflation.
The US central bank's benchmark policy rate should stay restrictive until it is more certain that inflation is returning to its 2% target, Richmond Federal Reserve President Thomas Barkin said on Friday.
Spot silver was down 0.2% at $29.57 per ounce, platinum dipped 0.7% to $931.30 and palladium fell 0.4% to $918.22.