Dubai Launches Fifth Coronavirus Recovery Package

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said Dubai is studying the current situation carefully (WAM)
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said Dubai is studying the current situation carefully (WAM)
TT

Dubai Launches Fifth Coronavirus Recovery Package

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said Dubai is studying the current situation carefully (WAM)
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said Dubai is studying the current situation carefully (WAM)

Dubai government continues to study dimensions of the current situation and its developments in light of the exceptional circumstances the world is going through, according to Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council.

It aims at developing practical strategies that allow it to efficiently and effectively address these circumstances and contain the pandemic’s repercussions on the business and economic environment in the emirate.

According to the Crown Prince, the Dubai government’s efforts are in line with directives of Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister, that seek to mitigate the effects of the global crisis, provide the necessary constituents for business continuity, accelerate the pace of recovery to preserve economic gains, and benefit the most of all opportunities in the post-pandemic period.

Dubai will continue to harness all resources and capabilities to be the most city prepared for the future and the most attractive to investments, he stressed.

“In implementation of the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we approved today a fifth package of economic incentives to support a number of economic sectors in Dubai and push forward our development process in preparation to the next phase of development,” Sheikh Hamdan noted, affirming that the leadership in advancing with confidence towards recovery and the return of normal life in Dubai.

“Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic at the global level, the economic situation in Dubai is in constant improvement.”

“We have the required constituents that bolster our ability to achieve leadership, and this has been reflected in the rapid pace of recovery of various economic sectors and activities,” he explained, adding that while overcoming the effects of the current global situation, the next phase will carry new opportunities that will enable entrepreneurs and investors to benefit from.

The value of the new economic incentives package approved by the Crown Prince has amounted to AED315 million ($85.7 million) based on the recommendations submitted to him by the Dubai Economy Support Committee headed by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, second Deputy Chairman of the Executive Council, to continue supporting various economic sectors.



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.