Royal Commission Prepares Infrastructure to Attract Investments in Jazan

Saudi officials signed an investment and construction agreement in the presence of the chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY), Khalid al-Salem (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi officials signed an investment and construction agreement in the presence of the chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY), Khalid al-Salem (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Royal Commission Prepares Infrastructure to Attract Investments in Jazan

Saudi officials signed an investment and construction agreement in the presence of the chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY), Khalid al-Salem (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi officials signed an investment and construction agreement in the presence of the chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY), Khalid al-Salem (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY) signed investment and construction agreements worth over $266 million with several investors in Jazan City.

The city concluded the agreements in the presence of chairman Khalid al-Salem who confirmed that the new contracts contribute to achieving the city's goals.

Salem explained that the new deals provided an infrastructure attracting investments in the food and mining manufacturing industries, establishing a vibrant community, increasing GDP output, creating new direct and indirect jobs, and boosting self-sufficiency in the targeted sectors.

CEO of Jazan City for Basic and Transformational Industries Fahd al-Qurashi signed the agreements, which would create more than 300 direct and indirect jobs.

The investment agreements were signed with several companies, including Public Investment Fund-owned Saudi Coffee Company, to develop and build a coffee processing factory using the latest technology.

RCJY signed an agreement worth $80 million with United Feed Co. to build a grain and animal feed factory.

The Royal Commission pumped nearly $109 million, including construction contracts and the development of the city's infrastructure, following top standards.

The city also signed two investment agreements with Namariq Arabian Services to develop a residential complex accommodating 7,000 people and an investment exceeding $38.6 million. They signed a deal to build 320 housing units for families at an investment of over $38 million on an area of 250,000 square meters for the two projects.

The importance of investment contracts and agreements stems from boosting investment and infrastructure development, which contributes to supporting the national economy, empowering the private sector, diversifying sources of income, expanding the production base, and creating sustainable job opportunities in the region.



Gold Hits Four-week Peak on Safe-haven Demand

A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
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Gold Hits Four-week Peak on Safe-haven Demand

A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk
A view shows ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk

Gold prices rose to a near four-week high on Thursday, supported by safe-haven demand, while investors weighed how US President-elect Donald Trump's policies would impact the economy and inflation.

Spot gold inched up 0.4% to $2,672.18 per ounce, as of 0918 a.m. ET (1418 GMT). US gold futures rose 0.7% to $2,691.80.

"Safe-haven demand is modestly supporting gold, offsetting downside pressure coming from a stronger dollar and higher rates," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

The dollar index hovered near a one-week high, making gold less appealing for holders of other currencies, while the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield stayed near eight-month peaks, Reuters reported.

"Market uncertainty is likely to persist with the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump as the next US president," Staunovo said.

Trump is considering declaring a national economic emergency to provide legal justification for a series of universal tariffs on allies and adversaries, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Trump will take office on Jan. 20 and his proposed tariffs could potentially ignite trade wars and inflation. In such a scenario, gold, considered a hedge against inflation, is likely to perform well.

Investors' focus now shifts to Friday's US nonfarm payrolls due at 08:30 a.m. ET for further clarity on the Federal Reserve's interest rate path.

Non-farm payrolls likely rose by 160,000 jobs in December after surging by 227,000 in November, a Reuters survey showed.

Gold hit a near four-week high on Wednesday after a weaker-than-expected US private employment report hinted that the Fed may be less cautious about easing rates this year.

However, minutes of the Fed's December policy meeting showed officials' concern that Trump's proposed tariffs and immigration policies may prolong the fight against rising prices.

High rates reduce the non-yielding asset's appeal.

The World Gold Council on Wednesday said physically-backed gold exchange-traded funds registered their first inflow in four years.

Spot silver rose 0.7% to $30.32 per ounce, platinum fell 0.8% to $948.55 and palladium shed 1.4% to $915.75.