Value of Saudi Arabia's October Exports Rises 90%

Saudi Arabia encourages investment in the local food and dairy sector (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia encourages investment in the local food and dairy sector (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Value of Saudi Arabia's October Exports Rises 90%

Saudi Arabia encourages investment in the local food and dairy sector (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia encourages investment in the local food and dairy sector (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Overall exports from Saudi Arabia climbed 90 percent on annual basis in October to 106 billion riyals ($28 billion), up from 55.9 billion riyals ($14 billion) recorded during the same period in 2020, according to data from the Kingdom’s General Authority for Statistics.

“This increase originated mainly from oil exports, which rose by 45.5 billion riyals ($12 billion), or 123 percent in the same period”, as the share of oil exports in total exports from the country jumped to 77.6 percent in October from 66 percent in the same period last year, said the authority's monthly trade report.

The kingdom’s non-oil exports increased by 25 percent year-on-year in October to 23.8 billion riyals ($6.3 billion) from 18.9 billion riyals ($5 billion) in October 2020.

They, however, decreased month-on-month by 1.5 billion riyals, or 5.9 percent ($400 million), according to government data.

Meanwhile, natural pearl and gemstone topped the list of UAE imports from Saudi Arabia with a value of approximately 2.7 billion riyals.

They were followed by minerals with a value of 1.5 billion riyals then mineral products with a value of 1.2 billion riyals during the third quarter of the current year.

This data was revealed in a report published by the Council for Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

The UAE came first among the GCC countries in terms of trade with the Kingdom.

Bilateral trade reached an estimate of 24 billion riyals in the third quarter of 2021, an increase of 16 percent compared to the same period in 2020.

In this context, Chairperson of Council of Saudi Chambers Mr. Ajlan bin Abdulaziz Al Ajlan described the Saudi-Emirati economic ties as distinguished.



Gold Prices Hold Steady as Investors Await US Fed Policy Cues

A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
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Gold Prices Hold Steady as Investors Await US Fed Policy Cues

A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)

Gold prices remained steady on Wednesday, as investors awaited the US Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates due later in the day, while also focusing on US President Donald Trump's trade policies following his tariff threats.

Spot gold eased 0.2% to $2,758.49 per ounce by 09:55 a.m. ET (1455 GMT), while US gold futures rose 0.3% to $2,775.60, widening the premium over spot gold rates.

The Fed is scheduled to release its latest policy decision and statement at 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT), with Fed Chair Jerome Powell due to hold a press conference half an hour later to elaborate on the meeting.

The US central bank is widely expected to hold interest rates steady as it awaits further inflation and jobs data and more clarity on the economic impact of Trump's policies before deciding whether to cut borrowing costs again.

"However, the Fed's commentary in regards to the potential for an interest rate cut in the March meeting is going to be in focus," said David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures.

Gold prices neared all-time highs last week after Trump called for lower interest rates. Bullion tends to thrive in a low-interest-rate environment as it yields no interest.

Prices, however, retreated sharply on Monday as a sell-off in technology stocks, driven by Chinese AI model DeepSeek, sparked a rush to liquidate bullion to counter losses, according to Reuters.

The sell-off in the stock market seen on Monday may not be over and the unpredictability of Trump's policies is contributing to an increased demand for gold as a safe-haven, said Jim Wyckoff, a senior market analyst at Kitco Metals.

Trump still plans to make good on his promise to issue tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and his policies are widely seen as inflationary.

Elsewhere, spot silver gained 1.7% to $30.92 per ounce, platinum also added 0.5% to $946.45. Palladium was up 0.8% to $962.50.