Saudi Business Sector Responds to Govt Call to Tighten Preventive Measures

Saudi Arabia stresses the implementation of the precautionary measures in the public and private sectors (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat).
Saudi Arabia stresses the implementation of the precautionary measures in the public and private sectors (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Saudi Business Sector Responds to Govt Call to Tighten Preventive Measures

Saudi Arabia stresses the implementation of the precautionary measures in the public and private sectors (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat).
Saudi Arabia stresses the implementation of the precautionary measures in the public and private sectors (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat).

The remote work system implemented by Saudi Arabia when the outbreak of the Covid-19 was first reported has succeeded in achieving productive targets during the first wave of the virus and contributed to generating jobs and work opportunities in small cities and governorates, experts told Asharq Al-Awsat.

This comes as the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has recently called on workers in the public and private sectors to adhere to precautionary and preventive measures, and to abide by health instructions and physical distancing at workplaces, in addition to resorting to remote work as much as possible, with the importance of applying a flexible working-hour policy.

Last year, the ministry launched the second phase of the “remote work” program, which includes the launch of an electronic portal to provide job offers and other services, such as tracking and following up on employees’ performance.

The ministry explained that the launch of the second phase comes after setting the controls and standards that govern the work environment, to ensure that the time and quality of the output is not affected, as well as guaranteeing the productivity and discipline of the employees included in the program.

In this regard, expert on public policies and international cooperation, Dr. Akram Jadawi, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the ministry’s decision to invite all sectors to implement the remote work program and to adopt flexible work policies came in a timely manner, especially as some parties were quick to resort to the system and reduce the number of employees in workplaces.

The remote work system has proven its effectiveness in raising productivity whenever the appropriate conditions are present, Jadawi said.

Member of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Society for Human Resources, Bader Al-Enezi, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the public and private sectors, with their profit and non-profit branches, have gained experience in dealing with the remote work system after recognizing the risks of the pandemic.

He emphasized that several countries were working on equipping the technical infrastructure to ensure the continuity of the economy and workflow in light of the current crisis, adding that the Saudi sectors were able to keep pace with the rapid changes in the business model.



Gold Eases from Record Peak on Profit-taking; Trump's Tariffs in Focus

Gold bars at a gold shop in Bangkok, Thailand, 01 April 2025. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT
Gold bars at a gold shop in Bangkok, Thailand, 01 April 2025. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT
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Gold Eases from Record Peak on Profit-taking; Trump's Tariffs in Focus

Gold bars at a gold shop in Bangkok, Thailand, 01 April 2025. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT
Gold bars at a gold shop in Bangkok, Thailand, 01 April 2025. EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT

Gold dipped on Thursday as traders locked in profits after prices hit a record high, following a rush to safe-haven assets triggered by US President Donald Trump's aggressive import tariffs, which escalated the already intense global trade war.

Spot gold was down 0.4% at $3,122.1, as of 0710 GMT. Earlier in the session, bullion hit an all-time high of $3,167.57.

US gold futures fell 0.7% to $3,145.00.

Trump unveiled on Wednesday a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to the US, and higher duties on dozens of countries, including some of its biggest trading partners, deepening a trade war that has rattled global markets, Reuters said.

The reciprocal tariffs do not apply to certain goods, including gold, energy and "certain minerals that are not available in the US," according to a White House fact sheet.

One of the factors supporting gold was "the slowdown that tariffs are likely to cause the US economy, raising the prospects of future rate cuts," Capital.com's financial market analyst Kyle Rodda said.

The Trump administration confirmed that the 25% global car and truck tariffs will take effect on April 3, as planned, and duties on automotive parts imports will be launched on May 3.

Gold is in "a pure momentum trade, where bulls who were left for dust are agonizing on the side line, eager for even the smallest of dips, and until we see a volatile shakeout big enough to stun bulls and bears, the momentum trade could continue higher," said Matt Simpson, a senior analyst at City Index.

Gold, a hedge against political and financial instabilities, has surged more than 19% year-to-date, mainly driven by tariff jitters, rate- cut possibilities, geopolitical conflicts, and central bank buying.

"There's also some front running going on amongst traders who anticipate (Trump's) policies will drive central banks to park their reserves in gold rather than US dollar-denominated assets," Rodda said.

Market awaits US non-farm payrolls report due on Friday for clues into the Federal Reserve's policy path.

Spot silver slipped 2.8% to $33.07 an ounce, platinum fell 1.5% to $968.37, and palladium lost 1.4% to $956.50.