SIDF to Start New Phase to Support Economic Sectors

SIDF to Start New Phase to Support Economic Sectors
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SIDF to Start New Phase to Support Economic Sectors

SIDF to Start New Phase to Support Economic Sectors

Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) is preparing to start a new phase that would stimulate, support and finance the private sector, contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, an ambitious national vision aimed at diversifying the economy.

The Fund is expected to target new areas that will keep pace with the vitality of the Saudi economy in light of Vision 2030 and its national programs.

SIDF targets several areas including industry, mining, energy and logistics services under the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP).

The Saudi private sector is heading towards a new stage, which will stimulate it to contribute more to the Kingdom’s GDP and open a new horizon for investment.

The SIDF is now considered one of the most important arms that target stimulating, supporting, and financing the national industry.

The Cabinet approved Wednesday amendments to SIDF’s regulations, which marks a key step towards enhancing its role as a financial enabler for the Kingdom’s ambitious development plans, the most important of which is the NIDLP, which was launched earlier this year.

SIDF Director-General Dr. Ibrahim al-Mojel said that the amendment will enable the Fund to expand its support to a number of new and promising sectors through a new package of financial services and products that meet the needs of the private sector in the fields of industry, mining, energy, national industry, and logistics services.

“After 45 years of work, SIDF continues to contribute to a wide range of programs and services that will meet our ambitious goals under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to bolster the industry’s needs and meet its requirements, while providing first-class support to enterprises operating in the sector,” Mojel explained in a press release.



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.