UAE Govt Annual Meetings Unveil 8 Projects, National Initiatives

The annual meetings of the UAE government were held this week in the presence of President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (WAM)
The annual meetings of the UAE government were held this week in the presence of President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (WAM)
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UAE Govt Annual Meetings Unveil 8 Projects, National Initiatives

The annual meetings of the UAE government were held this week in the presence of President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (WAM)
The annual meetings of the UAE government were held this week in the presence of President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (WAM)

The UAE revealed eight national projects and initiatives as part of the outcomes of the annual meetings of the UAE government, which were held this week in the presence of President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the participation of more than 500 officials.

The meetings witnessed the launch of the “We the UAE 2031” plan, which targets a new stage of sustainable development in the country, and sets a roadmap for the development path for the next 50 years.

The meetings also saw the announcement of an increase in support for the salaries of citizens in both the private and banking sectors, and the expansion of the covered sectors and specializations. The move aims to attract the largest number of national job seekers and encourage them to work in the private and banking sector institutions.

The new initiative will also contribute in building partnerships and supporting more than 170,000 beneficiaries in both the private and banking sectors during the next five years.

The strategic plans also included the Emirates Villages Project, which aims to create a sustainable development model that suits all regions in the country, and benefits from the human energies and natural potentials of each region.

The project seeks to create economic and investment opportunities that achieve social stability, and to provide appropriate economic openings in villages and remote areas.

The project is based on five development tracks, where the Emirates Council for Balanced Development will seek during the next five years to achieve a set of goals that focus on creating a micro-economy in 10 villages.

The annual meetings of the UAE government also saw the signing of seven major partners’ agreements for social contribution in support of the "Emirates Villages" project, with a value of 200 million dirhams ($54.4 million).



Gold Gains on Weaker Dollar; Traders Brace for Fed Rate Decision

FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are displayed at a gold jewelry shop in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh May 8, 2012. REUTERS/Ajay Verma/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are displayed at a gold jewelry shop in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh May 8, 2012. REUTERS/Ajay Verma/File Photo/File Photo
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Gold Gains on Weaker Dollar; Traders Brace for Fed Rate Decision

FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are displayed at a gold jewelry shop in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh May 8, 2012. REUTERS/Ajay Verma/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bars are displayed at a gold jewelry shop in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh May 8, 2012. REUTERS/Ajay Verma/File Photo/File Photo

Gold prices firmed on Monday, supported by a softer dollar, as investors awaited further details on the US-China trade relations, along with the Federal Reserve's policy meeting due later this week.

Spot gold gained 0.5% to $3,256.85 an ounce, as of 0416 GMT. US gold futures rose 0.7% to $3,265.10.

The dollar was down 0.3% against its rivals, making gold more attractive for other currency holders.

"The US dollar is looking subdued ahead of the Fed meeting this week which is enabling gold to take a mild run higher," KCM Trade's Chief Market Analyst Tim Waterer said.

"We may see gold continue to operate in the $3,200-$3,350 range ahead of the Fed meeting. However, any new headlines on the trade deal could cause volatility to tick up once again."

The market's focus will be on the US central bank policy decision and speeches by several Fed officials due this week, for insights into future monetary policy trajectory.

Traders are now expecting 80 basis points of rate cuts this year starting in July, following the US Labor Department's report on Friday showing larger-than-expected job additions in April.

Non-yielding gold acts as a hedge against global uncertainty and inflation and tends to thrive in a low-interest-rate environment. US President Donald Trump said he will not remove Jerome Powell as Fed Board Chairman before his term ends in May 2026, while reiterating his call for the Fed to cut interest rates.

Trump on Sunday said the US was meeting with many countries, including China, on trade deals, and his main priority with China was to secure a fair trade deal.

Chinese markets are closed for the Labor Day holiday from May 1-5 and will resume trade on Tuesday, May 6.

Spot silver rose 0.5% to $32.14 an ounce, platinum fell 0.2% to $957.77 and palladium gained 0.2% to $955.28.