Arrangements for Development of Saudi Investment Opportunities Committee

The Saudi Cabinet approved the organizational arrangements for a committee to identify and develop investment opportunities under the umbrella of the Supreme National Investment Committee. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Cabinet approved the organizational arrangements for a committee to identify and develop investment opportunities under the umbrella of the Supreme National Investment Committee. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Arrangements for Development of Saudi Investment Opportunities Committee

The Saudi Cabinet approved the organizational arrangements for a committee to identify and develop investment opportunities under the umbrella of the Supreme National Investment Committee. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Cabinet approved the organizational arrangements for a committee to identify and develop investment opportunities under the umbrella of the Supreme National Investment Committee. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Cabinet on Tuesday approved the organizational arrangements for a committee to identify and develop investment opportunities under the umbrella of the Supreme National Investment Committee.

Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Investment, stressed that the organizational arrangements for the Supreme National Investment Committee and its subcommittees, the Committee for Inventory and Development of Investment Opportunities and the National Incentives Committee, represent an integrated system and reflect the leadership efforts to achieve the second pillar of Vision 2030.

He added that these integrated committees will be concerned with achieving the objectives of national investment policies and priorities, as well as overcoming the challenges facing investments and investors, especially the qualitative and strategic sectors.

“Such committees will be the national reference for everything related to investment,” he said.

Al-Falih added that approval of organizational arrangements confirms that Vision 2030 is moving ahead with achieving its objectives.

“This contributes to achieving a qualitative leap, which will reflect positively on all economic and development aspects, including the development, diversification and sustainability of the economy, as well as the transfer and localization of technology, support of the local content development, and improvement of the quality of life. This also contributes to promoting innovation, and providing more job opportunities,” the minister said.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had previously launched the National Investment Strategy (NIS) as a key enabler to deliver the objectives of Vision 2030.

The NIS will contribute to the growth and diversification of the Kingdom’s economy, which, in turn, will achieve many Vision 2030’s goals, including raising the private sector’s contribution to GDP to 65%; increasing the contribution of FDI to GDP to 5.7%; increasing the contribution of non-oil exports to GDP from 16% to 50%; reducing the unemployment rate to 7%; and positioning the Kingdom among the top ten economies in the Global Competitiveness Index; by 2030.



Gold Advances as Softer Core CPI Data Revives Fed Easing Hopes

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 Advances as Softer Core CPI Data Revives Fed Easing Hopes

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 extended gains on Wednesday, as the dollar dipped after US core inflation data came in softer than expected, abating inflation pressures and rekindling expectations that the Federal Reserve's easing cycle may not be over yet.

Spot gold gained 0.4% to $2,688.19 per ounce by 0915 a.m. ET (1415 GMT). US gold futures were up 1.1% to $2,711.40.

Excluding volatile food and energy components, core CPI increased 3.2% on an annual basis, compared with an expected 3.3% rise, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

"Core CPI came in a little bit below expectations. This is a bit of a positive for gold... The corollary to this is that the Fed will not necessarily exclude the possibility of cutting rates," said Bart Melek, head of commodity strategies at TD Securities.

"The probability of a rate cut in January is kind of nothing, but we are pricing some rate cuts by the end of the year here."

Markets now expect the Fed to deliver 40 basis points (bps) worth of rate cuts by year-end, compared with about 31 bps before the inflation data.

The dollar index eased 0.4%, making bullion more attractive for other currency holders. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yields also slipped.

Investors are worried that the potential for tariffs after President-elect Donald Trump re-enters the White House next week could stoke inflation and limit the Fed's ability to lower rates to a greater extent.

Non-yielding bullion is considered a hedge against inflation, although higher rates diminish its appeal.

However, the uncertainties around Trump's tariffs and trade policies for the global economy and their potential impact on growth are likely to sustain safe-haven demand for gold, said Zain Vawda, market analyst at MarketPulse by OANDA.

Spot silver firmed 1% to $30.23 per ounce, platinum rose 0.4% to $938.70, and palladium added 2% to $960.25.