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.



Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh Demand against US Inventories

FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
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Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh Demand against US Inventories

FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)

Oil prices were little changed on Thursday as investors weighed firm winter fuel demand expectations against large US fuel inventories and macroeconomic concerns.

Brent crude futures were down 3 cents at $76.13 a barrel by 1003 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures dipped 10 cents to $73.22.

Both benchmarks fell more than 1% on Wednesday as a stronger dollar and a bigger than expected rise in US fuel stockpiles pressured prices.

"The oil market is still grappling with opposite forces - seasonal demand to support the bulls and macro data that supports a stronger US dollar in the medium term ... that can put a ceiling to prevent the bulls from advancing further," said OANDA senior market analyst Kelvin Wong.

JPMorgan analysts expect oil demand for January to expand by 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) year on year to 101.4 million bpd, primarily driven by increased use of heating fuels in the Northern Hemisphere.

"Global oil demand is expected to remain strong throughout January, fuelled by colder than normal winter conditions that are boosting heating fuel consumption, as well as an earlier onset of travel activities in China for the Lunar New Year holidays," the analysts said.

The market structure in Brent futures is also indicating that traders are becoming more concerned about supply tightening at the same time demand is increasing.

The premium of the front-month Brent contract over the six-month contract reached its widest since August on Wednesday. A widening of this backwardation, when futures for prompt delivery are higher than for later delivery, typically indicates that supply is declining or demand is increasing.

Nevertheless, official Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed rising gasoline and distillates stockpiles in the United States last week.

The dollar strengthened further on Thursday, underpinned by rising Treasury yields ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's entrance into the White House on Jan. 20.

Looking ahead, WTI crude oil is expected to oscillate within a range of $67.55 to $77.95 into February as the market awaits more clarity on Trump's administration policies and fresh fiscal stimulus measures out of China, OANDA's Wong said.