Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Inaugurates Saudi Pavilion at IMARC in Sydney

The pavilion is part of the "Invest Saudi" program. SPA
The pavilion is part of the "Invest Saudi" program. SPA
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Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Inaugurates Saudi Pavilion at IMARC in Sydney

The pavilion is part of the "Invest Saudi" program. SPA
The pavilion is part of the "Invest Saudi" program. SPA

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef has opened the Saudi Pavilion at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) held in Sydney, Australia between November 2 and 4 .

The pavilion is part of the "Invest Saudi" program with the participation of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Investment, the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), the Saudi Industrial Development Fund and the Industrial Center.

Saudi Arabia’s participation in IMARC highlights its continued efforts to improve the performance of the mining sector by facilitating access to geological data. It also sheds light on the most recent changes to the laws and legislation aiming to create an investment environment, lay foundations for sustainability and develop a mining sector that is based on integrated value chains in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

It emphasizes the Kingdom's engagement as the country boasts a strategic location connecting the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. It also has sophisticated infrastructure and high domestic demand.

The Kingdom has all of the necessary capabilities to become a regional mining hub in order to meet its Vision 2030 objectives and attract quality investments in the mining sector.



Gold Steady as Focus Shifts to US Data for Economic Cues

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
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Gold Steady as Focus Shifts to US Data for Economic Cues

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold prices were little changed on Monday, while investors awaited a slew of US economic data including the December nonfarm payrolls report for further guidance on the Federal Reserve's stance on interest rates.
Spot gold held its ground at $2,635.39 per ounce by 0510 GMT. US gold futures dropped 0.2% to $2,646.80.
How the US jobs data fares this week could hold the key to whether gold breaks out of its recent range, said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.
"There is a plethora of US data due for release this week (including ISM Services PMI data), and any downside misses could hurt the USD and help gold."
The US jobs report, due on Friday, is expected to provide more clues to the Fed's rate outlook after the US central bank rattled markets last month by reducing its projected cuts for 2025.
Investors are also awaiting ADP hiring and job openings data, as well as minutes of the Fed's last policy meeting for further direction.
Gold flourishes in a low-interest-rate environment and serves as a hedge against geopolitical uncertainties and inflation.
US President-elect Donald Trump is set to return to office on Jan. 20 and his proposed tariffs and protectionist policies are expected to fuel inflation.
This could prompt the Fed to go slow on rate cuts, limiting gold's upside. After three rate cuts in 2024, the Fed has projected only two reductions for 2025 due to persistent inflation.
The US central bank's benchmark policy rate should stay restrictive until it is more certain that inflation is returning to its 2% target, Richmond Federal Reserve President Thomas Barkin said on Friday.
Spot silver was down 0.2% at $29.57 per ounce, platinum dipped 0.7% to $931.30 and palladium fell 0.4% to $918.22.