Saudi Arabia Wishes to Explore Investment Opportunities in Egypt's Real Estate

Saudi-Egyptian Real Estate Forum in Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi-Egyptian Real Estate Forum in Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Wishes to Explore Investment Opportunities in Egypt's Real Estate

Saudi-Egyptian Real Estate Forum in Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi-Egyptian Real Estate Forum in Cairo (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia plans to enhance cooperation and expand in Egypt during the coming period, announced the head of the Saudi National Real Estate Committee.

Speaking at the Saudi-Egyptian Real Estate Forum, Chairman Mohammad al-Murshed asserted the strong desire to boost and expand cooperation with Egypt by taking advantage of the investment opportunities offered in the real estate sector.

He said the Saudi economy witnessed positive growth in all economic fields over the past years, leading to many local and global achievements.

Saudi Arabia is among the 20 largest economies worldwide, and its products have reached more than 140 global markets.

Murshed stated that the Saudi government led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, is establishing initiatives, programs, and giant projects that contribute to achieving Vision 2030, which aims to diversify sources of income, attract more local and international investments to the Saudi market, and create strategic partnerships.

He listed several important projects in Saudi Arabia, such as the NEOM project, the Red Sea, Qiddiya, Amaala, the projects of the Ministry of Housing, and other giant projects in which the real estate sector plays a prominent and vital role.

Murshed invited Egyptian business owners to benefit from these opportunities by creating strategic partnerships with Saudi business owners.

Meanwhile, Egypt's Minister of Public Business Sector, Hisham Tawfik, praised in his opening speech the developments in the Kingdom and Egypt, highlighting the insightful vision of the two countries' leadership.

The minister reviewed the partnership policies of the Egyptian government with investors and developers and investment opportunities in Egypt's real estate.

Moreover, Deputy Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities for Egyptian National Projects Khaled Abbas pointed to the importance of boosting cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Egypt in all economic and commercial fields, including real estate.

The Egyptian Businessmen Association organized the second Saudi Egyptian Real Estate Forum in cooperation with the Saudi Chambers Federation and Saudi Egyptian Businessmen Council.

It was inaugurated under the patronage of Egypt's Prime Minister Mustafa Madbooly. Saudi ambassador to Egypt Osamah bin Ahmed Nugali and representatives of giant Saudi and Egyptian real estate companies were also at the forum.

Chairman of the Construction and Building Committee of the Egyptian Businessmen Association, Fathallah Fawzy, said that Saudi Arabia is one of the top countries investing in Egypt in various fields, with investments worth approximately $32 billion.

Fawzy recalled that the real estate sector generated about EGP240 billion in 2021, asserting that Egypt looks forward to the great opportunities available for Saudi investment.

On Sunday, a delegation of the Real Estate National Committee affiliated with the Federation of Saudi Chambers, chaired by Murshed, met in Cairo with the CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), Mohamed Abdel-Wahab.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the available investment opportunities and the chances of opening new areas for mutual investments between the two countries.

The delegation included representatives of 27 major Saudi companies in real estate development, industry, agriculture, and construction materials.



Oil Falls from Highest since October as Dollar Strengthens

People stand on the the pier with offshore oil and gas platform Esther in the distance on January 5, 2025 in Seal Beach, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
People stand on the the pier with offshore oil and gas platform Esther in the distance on January 5, 2025 in Seal Beach, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
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Oil Falls from Highest since October as Dollar Strengthens

People stand on the the pier with offshore oil and gas platform Esther in the distance on January 5, 2025 in Seal Beach, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP
People stand on the the pier with offshore oil and gas platform Esther in the distance on January 5, 2025 in Seal Beach, California. Mario Tama/Getty Images/AFP

Oil prices dipped on Monday amid a strong US dollar ahead of key economic data by the US Federal Reserve and US payrolls later in the week.
Brent crude futures slid 28 cents, or 0.4%, to $76.23 a barrel by 0800 GMT after settling on Friday at its highest since Oct. 14.
US West Texas Intermediate crude was down 27 cents, or 0.4%, at $73.69 a barrel after closing on Friday at its highest since Oct. 11, Reuters reported.
Oil posted five-session gains previously with hopes of rising demand following colder weather in the Northern Hemisphere and more fiscal stimulus by China to revitalize its faltering economy.
However, the strength of the dollar is on investor's radar, Priyanka Sachdeva, a senior market analyst at Phillip Nova, wrote in a report on Monday.
The dollar stayed close to a two-year peak on Monday. A stronger dollar makes it more expensive to buy the greenback-priced commodity.
Investors are also awaiting economic news for more clues on the Federal Reserve's rate outlook and energy consumption.
Minutes of the Fed's last meeting are due on Wednesday and the December payrolls report will come on Friday.
There are some future concerns about Iranian and Russian oil shipments as the potential for stronger sanctions on both producers looms.
The Biden administration plans to impose more sanctions on Russia over its war on Ukraine, taking aim at its oil revenues with action against tankers carrying Russian crude, two sources with knowledge of the matter said on Sunday.
Goldman Sachs expects Iran's production and exports to fall by the second quarter as a result of expected policy changes and tighter sanctions from the administration of incoming US President Donald Trump.
Output at the OPEC producer could drop by 300,000 barrels per day to 3.25 million bpd by second quarter, they said.
The US oil rig count, an indicator of future output, fell by one to 482 last week, a weekly report from energy services firm Baker Hughes showed on Friday.
Still, the global oil market is clouded by a supply surplus this year as a rise in non-OPEC supplies is projected by analysts to largely offset global demand increase, also with the possibility of more production in the US under Trump.