Saudi Arabia, Jordan Discuss Complementary Projects North of NEOM

A view of the NEOM project. (NEOM via Twitter)
A view of the NEOM project. (NEOM via Twitter)
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Saudi Arabia, Jordan Discuss Complementary Projects North of NEOM

A view of the NEOM project. (NEOM via Twitter)
A view of the NEOM project. (NEOM via Twitter)

Saudi Arabia and Jordan discussed last week efforts to activate the opportunities available north of NEOM project, from the Jordanian side.

Jordan’s side of the border boasts ports and ready infrastructure that could be used immediately for projects that serve both countries and boost Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the region.

Chairman of Jordan’s Investment Commission Khalid Wazani said the NEOM project is attracting more Saudi-Jordanian investments that will be established in the Aqaba port city, including the enhancement of the existing business there.

He pointed out that the Jordanian side of NEOM includes Aqaba port and Marsa Zayed. It is expected to become a platform for exchange of expertise and consultations that will yield complementary projects related to NEOM.

This will make it easier for investors to benefit from the port, Wazani noted.

In a statement Friday, he stressed that the expected results, convergence of views and the achievement of some of the project’s objectives will serve Saudi Vision 2030 and the region in general, including Egypt and Jordan, which are part of NEOM.

He made his remarks following a meeting in Riyadh with member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Securities and Investment Committee at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce Mohammed al-Sayer.

The meeting was attended by a number of Jordanian officials and investors from both countries representing different sectors.

In October 2017, the $500 billion NEOM project was launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

Located in the Kingdom’s far northwest, NEOM will provide opportunities for development with a total area of 460 km on the banks of the Red Sea and a total area of 26,500 square meters.



Gold Edges Up with Focus on US Inflation Data

(FILES) Gold bullion can be seen after being removed from casts at the ABC Refinery smelter in Sydney on April 29, 2025. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
(FILES) Gold bullion can be seen after being removed from casts at the ABC Refinery smelter in Sydney on April 29, 2025. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
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20

Gold Edges Up with Focus on US Inflation Data

(FILES) Gold bullion can be seen after being removed from casts at the ABC Refinery smelter in Sydney on April 29, 2025. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)
(FILES) Gold bullion can be seen after being removed from casts at the ABC Refinery smelter in Sydney on April 29, 2025. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP)

Gold prices nudged higher on Tuesday, after a sharp decline in the previous session, as investors looked forward to US inflation data that could offer further insight into the Federal Reserve's rate-cut trajectory.

Spot gold was up 0.3% at $3,354.91 per ounce, as of 0453 GMT. US gold futures for December delivery were steady at $3,405.40.

Gold slipped 1.6% on Monday, while futures dropped by more than 2% after US President Donald Trump said tariffs will not be placed on imported gold bars, easing jitters in the market.

"Market participants now will be definitely focusing on the upcoming Fed rate cut, which has been more or less priced in for September. If we start to see the core CPI data came in slightly below expected, that could actually further support this rate-cut expectations," OANDA senior market analyst Kelvin Wong said.

"That could lower the cost of holding gold and the long-term US 10-year treasury yield still remains below certain key resistance level, so that could actually support gold prices."

All eyes are on US consumer prices index data, which is due at 1230 GMT. Economists polled by Reuters projected that core CPI likely rose 0.3% in July, pushing the annual rate higher to 3%, away from the Fed target of 2%.

Traders are pricing in around an 85% chance of a Fed rate cut next month, as per the CME FedWatch Tool. Gold tends to perform well during periods of uncertainty and in a low-interest-rate environment.

Traders appeared to show scant reaction to a statement from a White House official that Trump signed an executive order on Monday, extending a pause in sharply higher US tariffs on Chinese imports for another 90 days.

Elsewhere, spot silver gained 0.7% to $37.88 per ounce, platinum rose 0.3% to $1,330.25 and palladium climbed 0.9% to $1,145.47.