Saudi Fozan, Sakan Sign Agreement to Provide Housing Units for Joodeskan Platform

The program aims to benefit more than 1,000 people in the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The program aims to benefit more than 1,000 people in the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Fozan, Sakan Sign Agreement to Provide Housing Units for Joodeskan Platform

The program aims to benefit more than 1,000 people in the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The program aims to benefit more than 1,000 people in the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Fozan signed an agreement with the National Housing Development Organization (Sakan) to provide 178 housing units, valued at $18.1 million, to provide housing solutions to the beneficiaries of the Joodeskan platform.

The program aims to benefit more than 1,000 people in the Eastern Province in Saudi Arabia, in a step that supports achieving the goals of Vision 2030 in empowering the non-profit sector and providing adequate housing for needy families.

Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majed al-Hogail announced that the national companies give as part of their community initiatives.

Hogail lauded the Fozan program for its societal role in promoting housing stability for the neediest families by donating the project to Joodeskan platform that provides housing units for the beneficiaries included in the al-Fozan Affordable Housing Project.

Joodeskan is under the supervision of the National Housing Development, which aims to support and help needy families in the housing sector.

The platform provides charitable residential donations in a transparent, accurate, and professional manner.

Chairman of the board of Fozan Holding Abdullah bin Abdullatif al-Fozan stressed that this step is a continuation of the program’s role in helping society and meeting its needs in various fields.

Al-Fozan indicated that those in charge of the program believe they have a responsibility towards society, launching and sponsoring initiatives, namely the developmental housing projects that contribute to achieving stability for the beneficiaries and provide sustainable housing solutions for them.

Chairman of the Sakan board Ziad al-Hogail lauded the efforts of members of the Fozan initiative, which is one of the aspects of community partnership and integration between sectors that contributes to improving the services provided to citizens and achieving the goals of Vision 2030 and the Quality of Life Program.



Gold Prices Hit Records Above $3,300/oz

FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are displayed at a gold jewelry shop in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh May 8, 2012. REUTERS/Ajay Verma/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are displayed at a gold jewelry shop in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh May 8, 2012. REUTERS/Ajay Verma/File Photo
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Gold Prices Hit Records Above $3,300/oz

FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are displayed at a gold jewelry shop in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh May 8, 2012. REUTERS/Ajay Verma/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are displayed at a gold jewelry shop in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh May 8, 2012. REUTERS/Ajay Verma/File Photo

Gold prices pierced the $3,300 an ounce barrier to hit record highs as investors sought a refuge from the turbulence surrounding trade tensions between the United States and China.
Spot gold hit a record of $3,317.90 per ounce on Wednesday, resuming a rally based on US President Donald Trump's tariff policies, robust central bank buying and prospects of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, Reuters reported.
"Gold is re-calibrating to reflect the current state of world affairs ... If the price is telling us something, then it’s a distinct warning bell," said independent analyst Ross Norman.
"High conviction buying that commenced about a year ago - likely unreported central bank buying - is being compounded by buying on price strength."
Bullion has gained around 26% so far this year, in a rise that has drawn comparisons with its 1980 rally during the Iranian Revolution, when prices shot up around 118% between November 1979 and January 1980.
Trump on Tuesday rolled out the latest of his tariff policies, ordering an investigation into potential new levies on all US critical minerals imports and other goods.
Gold is traditionally used to hedge against political turmoil.
"Some longer-term gold owners are taking profit at these fresh record highs, but new inflows are also running strong," said Adrian Ash, director of research at BullionVault.
Gold ETFs saw an inflow of 226.5 metric tons, worth $21.1 billion, in the first quarter of 2025, the largest amount since the first quarter of 2022, when markets were grappling with the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"ETF demand is the additional new component that had otherwise been missing and is certainly helping to fuel the rise," Norman added.
Gold has also gained from the lower dollar, near a three-year low, making bullion a more attractive investment for other currency holders.
"The next milestone for gold is $3,500. Expect that before too long," Norman added.
Central bank buying has further buoyed gold, with China's central bank adding to its reserves in March for the fifth straight month.
Gold posted 25 all-time highs this year, of which 13 are above the $3,000 level.