Int’l, Local Companies Enter the Saudi Market for Logistics Services

Saudi Arabia is pushing for the growth of the logistics sector within the framework of the objectives of the Kingdom’s “Vision 2030” (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia is pushing for the growth of the logistics sector within the framework of the objectives of the Kingdom’s “Vision 2030” (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Int’l, Local Companies Enter the Saudi Market for Logistics Services

Saudi Arabia is pushing for the growth of the logistics sector within the framework of the objectives of the Kingdom’s “Vision 2030” (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia is pushing for the growth of the logistics sector within the framework of the objectives of the Kingdom’s “Vision 2030” (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh bin al-Jasser has handed over the first 32 logistic licenses for several international and local companies. The small and medium enterprises have investments in the logistic services sector in Saudi Arabia.

This followed al-Jasser inaugurating of the “Logistics License” on Wednesday at the Ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh, which will simplify the procedure of obtaining a license for companies.

The launch of the license aims “to strengthen the Saudi economy in accordance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which includes all transport sectors, air, sea, land and railways, ascending the Kingdom to the top 10 countries in the Logistics Performance Index by 2030.”

It also aims to develop more than 60 logistic zones to support exports, e-commerce and re-exports, and to also encourage trade through land ports, the growth of re-export revenues from 42 billion riyals ($11.2 billion) to 520 billion riyals ($138.65 billion), export growth from 185 billion riyals ($49.33 billion) to 507 billion riyals ($135.18 billion), and the expansion of the e-commerce sector from 6 percent to 23 percent.

The logistic license offers holders several advantages, including simplified procedures for companies obtaining the license in the sector.

The license also aims to develop and raise the logistic performance index through the services provided, improve work in the sector and take advantage of promising investment opportunities that enhance the local economy and its connection to the international market, and consolidating the Kingdom’s strategic position among the rest of the countries as a global logistical center for trade and economic movement.

The Ministry will “integrate a number of different activities into one activity with the unified license for logistics services, where the tasks of the license will be based on the brokerage of land, air, and sea freight.”



Gold Firms in Thin Trade as Investors Weigh Fed Outlook

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
TT

Gold Firms in Thin Trade as Investors Weigh Fed Outlook

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

Gold prices firmed on Monday, although trading was thin due to the holiday season and as investors looked for cues on the US Federal Reserve's monetary policy trajectory for next year after it signaled gradual easing in its latest meeting.
Spot gold added 0.3% at $2,628.63 per ounce, as of 0941 GMT, trading in a narrow $16 range. US gold futures eased 0.1% to $2,643.10.
"(It's a) Quiet day with lower liquidity and limited data releases during the holiday season," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.
"We retain a constructive outlook for gold in 2025, targeting a move to $2,800/oz by mid-2025."
The Fed cut rates by 25 basis points on Dec. 18, although the central bank's predictions of fewer rate cuts in 2025 resulted in a decline in gold prices to their lowest level since Nov. 18 last week.
US consumer spending increased in November, supporting the Fed's hawkish stance, a sentiment that was also shared by San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly.
Higher interest rates dull non-yielding bullion's appeal.
"Presently, we are in a lull for Christmas week with the gold price trending sideways. Federal Reserve policy is clear with expectations of rising interest rates in the second half of the year," said Michael Langford, chief investment officer at Scorpion Minerals.
"The next big impact is the incoming presidency of (Donald) Trump and the initial presidential decrees that he might declare. This has the potential to add to market volatility and be bullish for gold prices."
Gold, often considered a safe-haven asset, typically performs well during economic uncertainties.
Spot silver rose 0.8% to $29.75 per ounce and platinum climbed 1.3% to $938.43. Palladium steadied at $920.53.