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Iraq Seeks to Expand in Gas Investment, Renewable Energy Production

A worker is seen at Iraq's Majnoon oilfield near Basra, Iraq, March 31, 2021. Picture taken March 31, 2021. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/Files
A worker is seen at Iraq's Majnoon oilfield near Basra, Iraq, March 31, 2021. Picture taken March 31, 2021. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/Files
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Iraq Seeks to Expand in Gas Investment, Renewable Energy Production

A worker is seen at Iraq's Majnoon oilfield near Basra, Iraq, March 31, 2021. Picture taken March 31, 2021. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/Files
A worker is seen at Iraq's Majnoon oilfield near Basra, Iraq, March 31, 2021. Picture taken March 31, 2021. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani/Files

Iraq’s Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar announced Saturday that Iraq would rely on green energy to invest in gas and produce renewable energy.

During his participation at a workshop organized by the International Energy Organization (IEA), the Minister stressed the government and ministry’s keenness on supporting clean energy projects.

This support is represented by implementing prime projects in associated gas investment, reducing oil hydrocarbon emissions and increasing projects of electricity production via alternative energy.

Abdul Jabbar stated that Iraq has taken practical steps to guarantee a gradual shift towards green and renewable energy.

Iraq adopted a clear strategy by contracting with international companies specialized in this field in Basra, Maysan and Dhi Qar, he noted, adding that Iraq established the Basra Gas Company.

The Iraqi minister went on saying that the country signed an agreement with Total. This agreement consists of a series of investment projects in associated gas.

The ministry is meanwhile carrying out other projects. The investment of up to 2,600 million standard cubic feet daily also falls under the Ministry of Oil plans to invest in associated gas from the southern provinces’ fields.

Another key interest of Iraq is to add 12 kilowatts to the national electricity system through the use of alternative energy, the minister continued.

This would be accomplished by contracting with leading international firms operating in this sector and seeking to switch to the use of gas instead of heavy fuels.

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Business

Silver Tops $65 for 1st Time, Gold Firms as US Unemployment Rate Climbs

FILE PHOTO: UK gold bullion bars and coins are displayed at Baird & Co in Hatton Garden in London, Britain, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hiba Kola/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: UK gold bullion bars and coins are displayed at Baird & Co in Hatton Garden in London, Britain, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hiba Kola/File Photo
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Silver Tops $65 for 1st Time, Gold Firms as US Unemployment Rate Climbs

FILE PHOTO: UK gold bullion bars and coins are displayed at Baird & Co in Hatton Garden in London, Britain, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hiba Kola/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: UK gold bullion bars and coins are displayed at Baird & Co in Hatton Garden in London, Britain, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hiba Kola/File Photo

Silver jumped past the $65-per-ounce mark for the first time on Wednesday, while gold climbed higher after US jobs data showed a softening labor market, rekindling expectations of further rate cuts next year and boosting demand for precious metals.

Spot silver was up 3.9% at $66.28 an ounce after rising to an all-time high of $66.52 earlier in the session. Spot gold prices rose 0.8% to $4,337.85 an ounce by 0552 GMT.

US gold futures gained 0.8% to $4,368.60.

"There is a major short squeeze (speculative trade) happening in silver... and we are not seeing the supply side responding the way it should have after the US added silver to the critical minerals list," said Kunal Shah, head of research at Nirmal Bang Commodities in Mumbai.

"Every country planning to enter the data center-AI space will need more of silver," Shah said, noting that current trends could push silver towards $70 in the near term.

The rally followed US data showing the unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in November, above a Reuters poll forecast of 4.4%.

The unemployment data has definitely helped precious metals and weakened the dollar, prompting investors to look for other asset classes offering higher returns as a hedge against risk, GoldSilver Central MD Brian Lan said.

Investors now await the US consumer price index data on Thursday and the personal consumption expenditures index, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, on Friday.

Last week, the Fed delivered its third and final quarter-point rate cut for the year, while Chair Jerome Powell's accompanying comments were perceived as less hawkish than expected.

Traders still expect two cuts of 25 basis points each in 2026.

Non-yielding assets like bullion typically perform well in low-interest-rate environments.

Elsewhere, platinum was up 3.6% at $1,916.80, its highest in more than 17 years since July 2008, while palladium added 0.7% to $1,615.28, a two-month high.

Business

Tourism Projects Worth $9 Billion Being Implemented in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province

The Saudi Minister of Tourism, along with the President of Aramco, tours the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in the Eastern Province. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi Minister of Tourism, along with the President of Aramco, tours the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in the Eastern Province. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Tourism Projects Worth $9 Billion Being Implemented in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province

The Saudi Minister of Tourism, along with the President of Aramco, tours the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in the Eastern Province. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi Minister of Tourism, along with the President of Aramco, tours the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture in the Eastern Province. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Eastern Province is expected to witness the implementation of more than 650 tourism projects valued at over SAR12.7 billion (approximately $3.39 billion).

With the addition of investments in new projects exceeding SAR21 billion ($5.6 billion), total tourism investments amount to around SAR33.7 billion (nearly $9 billion), reflecting a growth in the sector.

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said tourism investments in the region are experiencing qualitative growth, adding that the Eastern Province enjoys competitive advantages that make it attractive for tourism investment.

The minister said the region has achieved positive results in sector performance, welcoming more than 13.4 million tourists whose spending exceeded SAR18.5 billion ($4.9 billion), underscoring the rising demand for tourism services.

Tourism Diversity

Al-Khateeb revealed that more than 650 approved tourism projects would contribute to improved tourism, in addition to strengthening partnerships and supporting private sector participation. This, he said, reflects the rapid growth pace and the achievements that the tourism sector in the Eastern Province has witnessed.

High-quality projects in the region enhance competitiveness, supported by the Tourism Development Fund, said Al-Khateeb. These projects contribute to improving quality of life and offering integrated visitor experiences, reinforcing the region’s position as a leading tourist destination on the Arabian Gulf coast, he added.

The minister met with Eastern Province’s tourism employees, who briefed him on promising opportunities and made proposals aimed at developing career paths for workers in the sector.

Al Khobar Season

Al Khobar Season 2025 has achieved remarkable success since its launch, featuring a seasonal program spanning nearly 90 days. Supported by the Sharqia Development Authority and the Saudi Tourism Authority, the season hosted events across more than 20 locations, attracting over one million visitors and involving more than 50 partners from the private sector.

Al Khobar Season enhances the Eastern Province’s status as a major tourism and entertainment destination through experiences that blend entertainment, culture, arts, and sports. This contributes to improving quality of life, achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, and developing the tourism sector.

Business

Saudi Exports Development Authority Organizes Trade Mission to Syria, Iraq 

Officials are seen during one of the visits to a Saudi company. (Saudi Exports Development Authority on X)
Officials are seen during one of the visits to a Saudi company. (Saudi Exports Development Authority on X)
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Saudi Exports Development Authority Organizes Trade Mission to Syria, Iraq 

Officials are seen during one of the visits to a Saudi company. (Saudi Exports Development Authority on X)
Officials are seen during one of the visits to a Saudi company. (Saudi Exports Development Authority on X)

The Saudi Exports Development Authority (SAUDI EXPORTS) organized a trade mission for Iraq and Syria in conjunction with the Made in Saudi Expo 2025 in Riyadh, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The missions involved 87 Saudi exporters and 32 importing companies, representing key sectors including construction, food products, medical supplies, and packaging industries.

A series of business-matching meetings were held to explore opportunities for cooperation and trade partnerships.

The meetings and bilateral discussions held alongside the exhibition resulted in the signing of seven trade agreements, reflecting the quality and competitiveness of Saudi products.

This was followed by an orientation tour for the visiting trade delegation of the Saudi companies’ pavilions to explore the latest national innovations and products.