Saudi Future Investment Initiative Institute Concludes Deal to Support Tourism

The signing ceremony between Saudi Tourism Development Fund and the Future Investment Initiative Institute (FII) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The signing ceremony between Saudi Tourism Development Fund and the Future Investment Initiative Institute (FII) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Future Investment Initiative Institute Concludes Deal to Support Tourism

The signing ceremony between Saudi Tourism Development Fund and the Future Investment Initiative Institute (FII) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The signing ceremony between Saudi Tourism Development Fund and the Future Investment Initiative Institute (FII) (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Future Investment Initiative Institute (FII) announced it concluded an agreement to boost the tourism sector. It organized the "Priority Summit" in New York on the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

CEO Richard Attias presented the global survey results aimed at determining the most critical priority for each individual.

The results revealed the priority in terms of population and continental composition to build an innovative roadmap to help humanity transition to assist humanity in surviving and thriving in a new complex world.

- A different experience

Attias explained that the Foundation made this report in 13 countries to understand the recent trends, which can monitor the emerging economies of the countries that represent approximately 50 percent of the population and see them on the map shown for the nations.

"In the ten main findings of the report, we noticed that people are very positive about themselves, as 77% of normal people in countries were going in the right direction," the CEO was quoted by SPA.

He pointed out that another analysis was done that shows the relationship between optimism and GDP that can gradually improve the citizen's outlook by paying attention to his priorities.

He reported that 53 percent of high-income countries enjoy a nutritionally better life.

- Quality of life

Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih addressed the priority sectors in investment after the economic transformation the world is witnessing, highlighting the Kingdom's efforts and plans to invest in industries that focus on improving the quality of life.

The minister stressed that technology has a significant and fundamental impact on investing, living, and the interaction mechanisms between companies.

"In light of the outbreak of the epidemic, it has been proven that the use of technology is important to deal with the challenges we face and provide opportunities for investors," Falih said.

- Companies and individuals

Speaking at the summit, the governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Aramco, Yasir al-Rumayyan, discussed the role of companies and investors in supporting the most critical priorities of individuals.

During a plenary session with the Honorary President of the University of Pennsylvania, Judith Rodin, he disclosed the difference between a crisis management approach and a crisis management approach that causes other crises.

PIF plays a significant role in stimulating the Saudi economy, noted Rumayyan, noting that the Fund has an initiative dedicated to ensuring the achievement of the goals set in the Vision Realization Program.

- Tourism development

The Saudi Tourism Development Fund and the FII signed a strategic partnership agreement to work together in advancing projects and initiatives in line with the Institute's core focus areas.

It will also support the curation of the upcoming sixth edition of the FII forum, which will be held in Riyadh from October 25-27 under the theme of "Impact on Humanity: Enabling a New Global Order."

The CEO of the Fund, Qusai al-Fakhri, explained that the partnership with FII will enhance efforts between the two parties and seek jointly to encourage and support investment in the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia.

"We look forward to exploring together how the face of tourism is changing and how we can work with global efforts to make tourism growth sustainable," said Fakhri.

The Fund's partnership with FII is a testament to the Fund's enthusiasm to contribute to the Institute's work and its investment in the four essential pillars of Sustainability, Healthcare, Education, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics, on which the Institute was founded.

The Tourism Development Fund was established to empower one of Saudi Arabia's most rapidly growing industries. It aims to facilitate local and international investors access to tourism investments across the Kingdom.

The Fund's efforts align with Saudi Arabia's bold ambition to bolster the country's reputation as a top tourist destination.

- Foreign Trade

Furthermore, the Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi General Authority for Foreign Trade, Majid al-Qasabi, held bilateral meetings in Bali on the sidelines of the G20 working group on commerce, investment, and industry.

Qasabi with ministers of trade of Türkiye, India, Argentina, South Africa, and Russia.

During the meetings, opportunities for cooperation on investment and industry and an increase in trade exchanges were reviewed.



IMF Board to Review Staff-level $8.1 Bln Agreement for Ukraine

The city's downtown on a frosty winter day, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 19, 2026. REUTERS/Alina Smutko
The city's downtown on a frosty winter day, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 19, 2026. REUTERS/Alina Smutko
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IMF Board to Review Staff-level $8.1 Bln Agreement for Ukraine

The city's downtown on a frosty winter day, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 19, 2026. REUTERS/Alina Smutko
The city's downtown on a frosty winter day, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 19, 2026. REUTERS/Alina Smutko

The International Monetary Fund on Thursday said its board ​would review a staff-level agreement for a new $8.1 billion lending program for Ukraine in coming days.

IMF spokeswoman Jule Kozack told reporters that Ukrainian authorities had completed the prior actions needed to move forward with the request ⁠of a new ⁠IMF program, including submission of a draft law on the labor code and adoption of a budget.

She said Ukraine's economic growth in 2025 ⁠was likely under 2%. After four years of war, the country's economy had settled into a slower growth path with larger fiscal and current account balances, she said, noting that the IMF continues to monitor the situation closely.

"Russia's invasion continues to take a ⁠heavy ⁠toll on Ukraine's people and its economy," Kozack said. Intensified aerial attacks by Russia had damaged critical energy and logistics infrastructure, causing disruptions to economic activity, Reuters quoted her as saying.

As of January, she said, 5 million Ukrainian refugees remained in Europe and 3.7 million Ukrainians were displaced inside the country.


US Stocks Fall as Iran Angst Lifts Oil Prices

A screen displays a stock chart at a work station on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, US, April 6, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
A screen displays a stock chart at a work station on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, US, April 6, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
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US Stocks Fall as Iran Angst Lifts Oil Prices

A screen displays a stock chart at a work station on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, US, April 6, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
A screen displays a stock chart at a work station on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, US, April 6, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Wall Street stocks retreated early Thursday as worries over US-Iran tensions lifted oil prices while markets digested mixed results from Walmart.

US oil futures rose to a six-month high as Iran's atomic energy chief Mohammad Eslami said no country can deprive the Islamic republic of its right to nuclear enrichment, after US President Donald Trump again hinted at military action following talks in Geneva.

"We'd call this an undercurrent of concern that is bubbling up in oil prices," Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare said of the "geopolitical angst."

About 10 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.6 percent at 49,379.46, AFP reported.

The broad-based S&P 500 fell 0.5 percent to 6,849.35, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index declined 0.6 percent to 22,621.38.

Among individual companies, Walmart rose 1.7 percent after reporting solid results but offering forecasts that missed analyst expectations.

Shares of the retail giant initially fell, but pushed higher after Walmart executives talked up artificial intelligence investments on a conference call with analysts.

The US trade deficit in goods expanded to a new record in 2025, government data showed, despite sweeping tariffs that Trump imposed during his first year back in the White House.


Gold Advances on US–Iran Tensions as Markets Weigh Fed Policy Path

UK gold bars and gold Sovereign coins are displayed at Baird & Co in Hatton Garden in London, Britain, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hiba Kola/File Photo
UK gold bars and gold Sovereign coins are displayed at Baird & Co in Hatton Garden in London, Britain, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hiba Kola/File Photo
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Gold Advances on US–Iran Tensions as Markets Weigh Fed Policy Path

UK gold bars and gold Sovereign coins are displayed at Baird & Co in Hatton Garden in London, Britain, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hiba Kola/File Photo
UK gold bars and gold Sovereign coins are displayed at Baird & Co in Hatton Garden in London, Britain, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hiba Kola/File Photo

Gold prices extended gains on Thursday after rising more than 2% in the previous session, as lingering tensions between the United States and Iran prompted a flight to safety, while investors evaluated the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path.

Spot gold rose 0.2% to $4,989.09 per ounce by 1227 GMT. US gold futures for April delivery held steady at $5,008.60.

"Geopolitical concerns are front and centre with reports that, if the US were to take military action against Iran, it could go on for several weeks," said Jamie Dutta, market analyst at Nemo.money, Reuters reported.

Some progress was made during Iran talks this week in Geneva but distance remained on some issues, the White House said on Wednesday.

FED LARGELY UNITED

Top US national security advisers met in the White House Situation Room on Wednesday to discuss Iran and were told all US military forces deployed to the region should be in place by mid-March.

Meanwhile, the Fed's January minutes showed it largely united on holding interest rates steady, but divided over what comes next, with "several" open to rate hikes if inflation remains elevated, while others were inclined to support further cuts if inflation recedes.

The weekly jobless claims data, due later in the day, and Friday's Personal Consumption Expenditures report, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, will provide further clues on the central bank's policy trajectory.

Markets currently expect this year's first interest rate cut to be in June, according to CME's FedWatch Tool.

Non-yielding bullion tends to do well in low-interest-rate environments.

Spot silver rose 0.9% to $77.87 per ounce after climbing more than 5% on Wednesday.

Silver is "supported by tight supply and low COMEX stock levels ahead of the delivery period of the March contract. However, given the extent of the historic correction earlier this month, silver is not back on safer ground until it trades back above $86," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.

Spot platinum fell 0.6% to $2,059.55 per ounce, while palladium lost 1.7% to $1,686.47.