Saudi Arabia, Sudan Discuss Investment in Energy

Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Ali bin Hasan Jaafar
Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Ali bin Hasan Jaafar
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Saudi Arabia, Sudan Discuss Investment in Energy

Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Ali bin Hasan Jaafar
Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Ali bin Hasan Jaafar

Saudi Arabia has expressed willingness to cooperate with Sudan and invest in projects in the fields of energy, oil and minerals.

Sudanese Energy Minister Jadain Ali Obeid held talks with the Saudi Ambassador to Sudan, Ali bin Hasan Jaafar, a ministry statement read on Monday.

The Ambassador stressed the importance of activating the “Sudanese-Saudi Standing Committee” to exploit the resources of the Red Sea, as well as the MoU on gas and oil exploration.

Jaafar pointed to the initiative proposed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Premier and Defense Minister, during a visit by Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and other senior officials to Riyadh earlier this month.

The Crown Prince committed to investing $3 billion in a joint fund for investments in Sudan and to encouraging other parties to participate.

Jaafar also suggested opening offices in Khartoum to some of the major Saudi companies, including Aramco, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and the Saudi Arabian Mining Co. (Maaden) and expanding relations with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.

Obeid said his ministry will propose energy investment projects during the Paris Conference scheduled to be held in May.

He welcomed the invitation to visit the Kingdom, learn about the Saudi experience and benefit from its expertise in the fields of oil and energy.



Gold Hits Three-week Peak on Softer Dollar and Safe Haven Inflows

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
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Gold Hits Three-week Peak on Softer Dollar and Safe Haven Inflows

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold prices touched their highest level in three weeks on Friday supported by a softer dollar and safe-haven buying, while markets braced for potential economic and interest rate changes from US President-elect Donald Trump's proposed policies.

Spot gold was little changed at $2,658.11 per ounce, as of 1115 GMT, hitting its highest level since Dec. 13. Bullion is up about 1.5% for the week so far.

US gold futures were steady at $2,672.20.

The dollar index fell 0.3% from over a two-year high hit in the previous session, making dollar-priced bullion more affordable for holders of other currencies, Reuters reported.

"Gold bulls are setting the tone early doors this year, enjoying the lift from safe haven bids while riskier equities struggle to hold on to nascent gains," said Exinity Group Chief Market Analyst Han Tan.

On the geopolitical front, in Gaza Israeli airstrikes killed at least 68 Palestinians, Gaza authorities said. While, Russia launched a drone strike on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Wednesday, city officials said.

Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20 has heightened uncertainty, with his proposed tariffs and protectionist policies expected by many economists to be inflationary and potentially spark trade wars.

"Markets are aware that Trump's policies risk reawakening US inflationary impulses, which should be a boon for gold so long as markets adhere to the precious metal’s role as an inflation hedge," Tan added.

Bullion, which is considered a hedge against economic and geopolitical uncertainties, tends to thrive in lower interest rate environment.

After delivering three consecutive interest rate cuts in 2024, the US central bank now projects only two reductions in 2025 due to due to stubbornly high inflation.

Spot silver rose 0.6% to $29.75 per ounce.

"Lower real US yields and stronger global industrial production should favor the metal in 2025," UBS said in a note, adding that they see silver to trade between $36-38/oz in 2025.

Platinum added 0.8% to $930.09, and palladium gained 1.2% to $922.58. Both metals were on track for weekly gains.