ACWA Power Signs MoU with Saudi EXIM

Eng. Saad al-Khalb and Mohammad Abunayyan during the signing of the MoU. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Eng. Saad al-Khalb and Mohammad Abunayyan during the signing of the MoU. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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ACWA Power Signs MoU with Saudi EXIM

Eng. Saad al-Khalb and Mohammad Abunayyan during the signing of the MoU. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Eng. Saad al-Khalb and Mohammad Abunayyan during the signing of the MoU. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

ACWA Power, a leading developer, investor and operator of power generation, desalinated water and green hydrogen plants, signed on Monday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM).

The agreement involves knowledge transfer in credit issuance, with the objective of facilitating and growing Saudi exports and overseas investments by Saudi institutions and organizations.

The MoU will also bolster the growth of local content and Saudi exports in international projects and capital investments overseas, which will, in turn, create new jobs and foster economic growth in the Kingdom and abroad.

“Saudi EXIM is working to expand its partnerships with local and international entities to support and diversify innovative financing products and credit solutions that meet the objectives of our partners and beneficiaries,” said Eng. Saad al-Khalb, the CEO of Saudi EXIM.

“These developments will enhance the competitiveness of Saudi products, increase the economic impact of non-oil exports on the GDP, and reinforce the growth of the alternative economy in support of the Vision 2030 goals of building a prosperous and sustainable economy.”

“ACWA Power is a national champion with extensive expertise in project finance, including working with export credit agencies from across the world,” said ACWA Power Chairman Mohammad Abunayyan.

“We have firsthand experience in driving knowledge transfer and using it effectively to build national project financing capabilities.”

“We value this agreement with Saudi EXIM and look forward to partnering with their teams on our projects, as we continue on delivering solutions that create economic benefits within the country and support the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 goals,” he added.

Saudi EXIM provides export financing, guarantees, credit insurance and other facilities to enhance confidence in Saudi exports and facilitate entry into new markets.

The organization was conceptualized under the framework of Vision 2030, under the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, to diversify the Kingdom’s economy, expand its non-oil exports, and increase the ability of Saudi companies to compete in global markets in diverse sectors.



Dollar Strengthens on Elevated US Bond Yields, Tariff Talks

A teller sorts US dollar banknotes inside the cashier's booth at a forex exchange bureau in downtown Nairobi, Kenya February 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File photo
A teller sorts US dollar banknotes inside the cashier's booth at a forex exchange bureau in downtown Nairobi, Kenya February 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File photo
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Dollar Strengthens on Elevated US Bond Yields, Tariff Talks

A teller sorts US dollar banknotes inside the cashier's booth at a forex exchange bureau in downtown Nairobi, Kenya February 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File photo
A teller sorts US dollar banknotes inside the cashier's booth at a forex exchange bureau in downtown Nairobi, Kenya February 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File photo

The dollar rose for a second day on Wednesday on higher US bond yields, sending other major currencies to multi-month lows, with a report that Donald Trump was mulling emergency measures to allow for a new tariff program also lending support.

The already-firm dollar climbed higher on Wednesday after CNN reported that President-elect Trump is considering declaring a national economic emergency as legal justification for a large swath of universal tariffs on allies and adversaries.

The dollar index was last up 0.5% at 109.24, not far from the two-year peak of 109.58 it hit last week, Reuters reported.

Its gains were broad-based, with the euro down 0.43% at $1.0293 and Britain's pound under particular pressure, down 1.09% at $1.2342.

Data on Tuesday showed US job openings unexpectedly rose in November and layoffs were low, while a separate survey showed US services sector activity accelerated in December and a measure of input prices hit a two-year high - a possible inflation warning.

Bond markets reacted by sending 10-year Treasury yields up more than eight basis points on Tuesday, with the yield climbing to 4.728% on Wednesday.

"We're getting very strong US numbers... which has rates going up," said Bart Wakabayashi, Tokyo branch manager at State Street, pushing expectations of Fed rate cuts out to the northern summer or beyond.

"There's even the discussion about, will they cut, or may they even hike? The narrative has changed quite significantly."

Markets are now pricing in just 36 basis points of easing from the Fed this year, with a first cut in July.

US private payrolls data due later in the session will be eyed for further clues on the likely path of US rates.

Traders are jittery ahead of key US labor data on Friday and the inauguration of Donald Trump on Jan. 20, with his second US presidency expected to begin with a flurry of policy announcements and executive orders.

The move in the pound drew particular attention, as it came alongside a sharp sell-off in British stocks and government bonds. The 10-year gilt yield is at its highest since 2008.

Higher yields in general are more likely to lead to a stronger currency, but not in this case.

"With a non-data driven rise in yields that is not driven by any positive news - and the trigger seems to be inflation concern in the US, and Treasuries are selling off - the correlation inverts," said Francesco Pesole, currency analyst at ING.

"That doesn't happen for every currency, but the pound remains more sensitive than most other currencies to a rise in yields, likely because there's still this lack of confidence in the sustainability of budget measures."

Markets did not welcome the budget from Britain's new Labor government late last year.

Elsewhere, the yen sagged close to the 160 per dollar level that drew intervention last year, touching 158.55, its weakest on the dollar for nearly six months.

Japan's consumer sentiment deteriorated in December, a government survey showed, casting doubt on the central bank's view that solid household spending will underpin the economy and justify a rise in interest rates.

China's yuan hit 7.3322 per dollar, the lowest level since September 2023.