Egypt Accelerates Steps to Become Regional Hub for Gold Production

FILE PHOTO: An employee sorts gold bars in the Austrian Gold and Silver Separating Plant 'Oegussa' in Vienna, Austria, December 15, 2017. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
FILE PHOTO: An employee sorts gold bars in the Austrian Gold and Silver Separating Plant 'Oegussa' in Vienna, Austria, December 15, 2017. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
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Egypt Accelerates Steps to Become Regional Hub for Gold Production

FILE PHOTO: An employee sorts gold bars in the Austrian Gold and Silver Separating Plant 'Oegussa' in Vienna, Austria, December 15, 2017. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
FILE PHOTO: An employee sorts gold bars in the Austrian Gold and Silver Separating Plant 'Oegussa' in Vienna, Austria, December 15, 2017. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

The Federation of the Egyptian Chambers of Commerce announced launching the first of its kind 2022 Nebu Expo for the production, manufacture and export of gold jewelry.

The three-day event will kick off on Feb. 19, with the participation of 30 major local gold companies.

On the sidelines of the event, the government will present its strategy to transform into a regional and international hub for the production of gold and goldsmiths.

Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce Ibrahim Elaraby said the locally designed jewelry have been developed to compete with international products in this field.

He issued a press statement, which Asharq Al-Awsat obtained a copy of, noting that launching the first edition of the exhibition marks a new step on the path of partnership between the Egyptian government and the private sector to achieve economic development.

“Over the past two years, the government has taken various steps, in partnership with the private sector, to establish a strong base for the production of raw gold and gold bars on Egyptian soil,” the statement read.

Among these steps are the establishment of an integrated city for the manufacture and trade of gold, the first gold refinery to maximize the added value of gold resources and complete the value chain for gold production by maximizing local content.

Head of the Gold Division at the Chamber of Commerce in Cairo Hany Milad said that the conference that will be held on the sidelines of the exhibition will discuss various issues related to the production of gold jewelry and the development of the internal and export trade system for Egypt’s goldworks.

It will further tackle the legislation that motivates the production of goldsmiths, which would allow Egypt to become a regional hub for gold industry and compete in global markets in one of the global trade’s key sectors.

He pointed out that the seminars will discuss the latest developments in the industry and arts of designing gold jewelry.



Oil Prices Slip as Russia Sanctions Stay in Focus

FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo
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Oil Prices Slip as Russia Sanctions Stay in Focus

FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo

Oil prices slipped on Tuesday from the previous day's four-month highs but the market remained supported by continuing focus on the impact of new US sanctions on Russian oil exports to key buyers India and China.

Brent futures were down 58 cents, or 0.72%, to $80.43 a barrel by 1421 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 62 cents, or 0.79% to $78.20 a barrel, Reuters reported.

Prices jumped 2% on Monday after the US Treasury Department on Friday imposed sanctions on Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas as well as 183 vessels that transport oil as part of Russia's so-called shadow fleet of tankers.

"With several nations seeking alternative fuel supplies in order to adapt to the sanctions, there may be more advances in store, even if prices correct a bit lower should tomorrow's US CPI data come in somewhat hotter-than-expected", said Charalampos Pissouros, senior investment analyst at brokerage XM.

While analysts were still expecting a significant price impact on Russian oil supplies from the fresh sanctions, their effect on the physical market could be less pronounced than what the affected volumes might suggest.

ING analysts estimated the new sanctions had the potential to erase the entire 700,000 barrel-per-day surplus they had forecast for this year, but said the real impact could be lower.

"The actual reduction in flows will likely be less, as Russia and buyers find ways around these sanctions," they said in a note.

Nevertheless, analysts expect less of a supply overhang in the market as a result.

"We anticipate that the latest round of sanctions are more likely to move the market closer to balance this year, with less pressure on demand growth to achieve this," said Panmure Liberum analyst Ashley Kelty.

Uncertainty about demand from major buyer China could blunt the impact of the tighter supply. China's crude oil imports fell in 2024 for the first time in two decades outside of the COVID-19 pandemic, official data showed on Monday.