Initiatives Boost Progression of Saudi Investment Environment Internationally

Initiatives Boost Progression of Saudi Investment Environment Internationally
TT

Initiatives Boost Progression of Saudi Investment Environment Internationally

Initiatives Boost Progression of Saudi Investment Environment Internationally

The Saudi trade and investment system has strengthened its success through a series of qualitative initiatives that have been undertaken over the past period in the light of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

In the past period, global indicators have witnessed many achievements that contributed to improving the ranking of the Global Competitiveness Report for the first time in six years.

It reached the 39th position in the world, achieved the fourth place at the G20 level in business environment reforms in the World Bank 2019 report, and the seventh globally in the minority shareholder protection index.

The system implemented initiatives aimed at improving the business environment, facilitating business, enacting new legislative regulations and other amendments to provide an attractive and fair investment and trade environment, raise awareness and protection of consumer and merchant, and develop e-services.

The trade and investment system has taken advanced steps in improving the business environment. During the past period, a number of initiatives and projects have been launched.

Among these projects and initiatives is the establishment of the General Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises, the Saudi Intellectual Property Authority (SIPA), the Saudi Business Center and the E-Commerce Council.

It has also launched Maras initiative, the Small and Medium Enterprises Support Center in Riyadh, new customer service centers for the business sector, Bayan Credit Bureau and Investment Atlas and issued Business Licensing Guide to business activities.

The system continues to work to improve the business environment within the framework of planned strategies and projects aimed at making business easier in order to attract value-added foreign investments.



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.