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)
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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 Rebounds on Dip Buying; US-China Trade Talks in Focus

A one kilogram gold cast bars with 99.99% purity is pressed and ready for sale at the ABC Refinery in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
A one kilogram gold cast bars with 99.99% purity is pressed and ready for sale at the ABC Refinery in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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Gold Rebounds on Dip Buying; US-China Trade Talks in Focus

A one kilogram gold cast bars with 99.99% purity is pressed and ready for sale at the ABC Refinery in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
A one kilogram gold cast bars with 99.99% purity is pressed and ready for sale at the ABC Refinery in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Gold prices firmed on Friday as investors bought bullion following an earlier dip in the session, while markets turned their focus to US-China trade talks this weekend.

Spot gold was up 0.3% to $3,316.29 an ounce, as of 0448 GMT. US gold futures firmed 0.5% to $3,321.60.

Spot gold retreated earlier in the session, touching a low of $3,274.38, as US President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with the UK on Thursday.

Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a "breakthrough deal". A 10% tariff on goods imported from the UK remains in place, while Britain agreed to lower its tariffs to 1.8% from 5.1% and provide greater access to US goods.

"Buying gold on dips is still in vogue, which is so far limiting the downside moves despite safe haven demand drying up to a degree on the US-UK trade deal," KCM Trade Chief Market Analyst Tim Waterer said.

"How the US-China trade talks develop could be key in determining which side of $3,300 gold trades at next week."

Trump also said he expects there to be substantive negotiations between the US and China on trade this weekend and predicted that punitive US tariffs on Beijing of 145% would likely come down, Reuters said.

Gold, traditionally seen as a hedge against economic and political uncertainties, thrives in a low interest rate environment.

Several US Federal Reserve officials are due to speak later in the day for further insights into the economy and the central bank's policy path. This comes after the Fed held interest rates steady on Wednesday and warned of rising inflation and unemployment risks.

Meanwhile, Indian gold dealers offered discounts this week amid weak demand as a softer rupee lifted local prices to near-record highs, while buying in China picked up after a holiday.

Spot silver was steady at $32.48 an ounce, platinum rose 0.5% to $980.55 and palladium gained 0.2% to $978.21.