UAE, Indonesia Sign MoU on Tourism

UAE and Indonesia seal agreements to enhance cooperation in the field of creative economy and increase mutual support in the fields of architecture, fashion, design, and fine arts between the two countries - WAM
UAE and Indonesia seal agreements to enhance cooperation in the field of creative economy and increase mutual support in the fields of architecture, fashion, design, and fine arts between the two countries - WAM
TT

UAE, Indonesia Sign MoU on Tourism

UAE and Indonesia seal agreements to enhance cooperation in the field of creative economy and increase mutual support in the fields of architecture, fashion, design, and fine arts between the two countries - WAM
UAE and Indonesia seal agreements to enhance cooperation in the field of creative economy and increase mutual support in the fields of architecture, fashion, design, and fine arts between the two countries - WAM

The United Arab Emirates signed on Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and technical agreement with the Republic of Indonesia to support cooperation in the areas of creative economy, tourism, environmental conservation and logistics at the UAE-Indonesia Business Forum entitled "Amazing Week 2021".

The deal aims to enhance cooperation in the field of creative economy and increase mutual support in the fields of architecture, fashion, design, and fine arts between the two countries.

This comes in addition to exchanging experiences on developing methods of financing the creative economy, state news agency WAM reported.

The UAE delegation included Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chief Executive Officer of DP World, Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Youth, and representatives from a number of high-level entities in the UAE.

Noura Al Kaabi and Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, signed the MoU on cooperation in the field of creative economy.

Mubarak Al Nakhi and Wisnu Bawa Tarunajaya, Deputy Minister for Resources and Institutionality, signed the technical agreement on hosting the World Creative Economy Conference 2021 in Dubai as part of Expo 2020 Dubai, scheduled in October 2021.

The conference will include a meeting of officials, academics, business owners, and representatives of governments, international bodies, and the media to shape future creative economic policies.

Following the signature of the MoU, Al Kaabi said: "The UAE and Indonesia are exemplars of religious and cultural diversity, tolerance and moderation. These are the values that bind us together and enable us to cooperate for our common interests, especially in the sphere of creative economy, which is a pillar of sustainable economic growth."

"As the world is going through a challenging time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to turn challenges into opportunities for innovation,'' Al Kaaber added.

''The MoU signed between our two countries will provide us a new opportunity to strengthen our bilateral ties and mutual cooperation in various spheres, including in the cultural and creative sectors,"

For his part, Hussein Baqis, Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE, said: "I believe the MoU on cooperation in the field of creative economy will open many opportunities between both countries to share ideas as well as experiences for the advancement of creative economy industries in both countries. I am optimistic that Indonesia and the UAE can play a bigger role in economic recovery through creative economy industries."

Other agreements signed between the two sides included industrial and commercial cooperation agreements, a logistics passport agreement with businesses in the UAE, and a joint venture development agreement with DP World.



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.