S. Korea Keen on Investing in Saudi Mega Projects

Saudi and South Korean officials meet in Riyadh on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi and South Korean officials meet in Riyadh on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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S. Korea Keen on Investing in Saudi Mega Projects

Saudi and South Korean officials meet in Riyadh on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi and South Korean officials meet in Riyadh on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia and South Korea are seeking to strengthen investment partnerships, develop infrastructure, and exploit modern technologies in several sectors, including transportation, logistics, smart cities, and housing.

A South Korean delegation, comprised of several officials and a group of private investors, is currently visiting the Kingdom.

South Korean companies are planning on taking part in the execution of mega Saudi projects by reviewing their expertise and available services can contribute in achieving Vision 2030.

Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majed al-Hogail received South Korean Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong and his accompanying delegation.

They reviewed the relationship between the two countries and boosting the Saudi-South Korean cooperation in smart cities and housing and ways to develop the housing sector.

Hogail underscored South Korea’s interest in learning about the Saudi experience in smart cities and housing, hoping that the visit would achieve the goals of both governments and people in developing in all sectors.

Later, Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh al-Jasser met with Won, his accompanying delegation, and a group of South Korean private investors.

They discussed ways to boost cooperation between their countries in transport and logistics services and several investment partnership opportunities.

The Ministry gave a presentation on the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the opportunities, initiatives, programs, and major projects that are helping consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub linking three continents.

The meeting also reviewed modern technologies used by the system to upgrade all means of transport and transport services in general.

The Korean delegation reviewed its projects and the stages of development achieved in transportation.

A group of Korean companies gave presentations on their role in engineering and construction, smart building, mobility, smart cities, and information and communication technology.

The meeting sought to enhance cooperation between both countries and discuss ways to consolidate the relationship to help in achieving the objectives of the National Transport Strategy through the development of infrastructure and the application of advanced systems.

It sought to consolidate the effective partnership between the public and private sectors to achieve Vision 2030.

Korean companies are seeking, through their visit to Saudi Arabia, to participate in the implementation of development projects, given the great opportunities in the Kingdom and the mega projects under Vision 2030.



Gold Firms; Focus on US Data for Cues on Fed's Policy Path

FILE PHOTO: A woman looks at a gold bangle inside a jewellery showroom at a market in Mumbai January 15, 2015. REUTERS/Shailesh Andrade//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A woman looks at a gold bangle inside a jewellery showroom at a market in Mumbai January 15, 2015. REUTERS/Shailesh Andrade//File Photo
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Gold Firms; Focus on US Data for Cues on Fed's Policy Path

FILE PHOTO: A woman looks at a gold bangle inside a jewellery showroom at a market in Mumbai January 15, 2015. REUTERS/Shailesh Andrade//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A woman looks at a gold bangle inside a jewellery showroom at a market in Mumbai January 15, 2015. REUTERS/Shailesh Andrade//File Photo

Gold prices hovered near a four-week peak on Thursday, while focus shifted to jobs report due on Friday for clarity on the Federal Reserve's 2025 interest rate path.
Spot gold edged 0.1% higher to $2,664.30 per ounce, as of 0732 GMT. US gold futures rose 0.4% to $2,681.80
"Prices are trading in a narrow range ... A new trigger is needed for gold to breach its resistance," said Ajay Kedia, director at Kedia Commodities in Mumbai.
The bullion hit a near four-week high in the previous session after a weaker-than-expected US private employment report hinted that the Fed may be less cautious about easing rates this year.
The market now awaits US jobs report on Friday for more cues on the Fed's policy path.
Investors are also awaiting Donald Trump to take office on Jan. 20 and his proposed tariffs and protectionist policies are expected to fuel inflation.
Policymakers at the Fed's last meeting also "noted that recent higher-than-expected readings on inflation, and the effects of potential changes in trade and immigration policy, suggested that the process could take longer than previously anticipated," the minutes showed on Wednesday.
Bullion is considered an inflationary hedge, but high rates reduce the non-yielding asset's allure.
"We believe the bulk of the rally has been put in and that while gold's upward momentum may carry it higher in the near term and in early 2025, a combination of physical and financial market factors may tame the rally and drive gold moderately lower by the end of next year," HSBC said in a note.
Elsewhere, physically-backed gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) registered their first inflow in four years, the World Gold Council said.
Spot silver added 0.2% to $30.17 per ounce, platinum dropped 0.3% to $952.54 and palladium shed 0.8% to $921.37.