Saudi Arabia’s PIF Establishes Aseer Investment Company

Aseer Investment Company will unlock a wide range of investment opportunities for domestic and international investors. (Public Investment Fund)
Aseer Investment Company will unlock a wide range of investment opportunities for domestic and international investors. (Public Investment Fund)
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Saudi Arabia’s PIF Establishes Aseer Investment Company

Aseer Investment Company will unlock a wide range of investment opportunities for domestic and international investors. (Public Investment Fund)
Aseer Investment Company will unlock a wide range of investment opportunities for domestic and international investors. (Public Investment Fund)

The Saudi Public Investment Fund announced on Thursday the establishment of Aseer Investment Company (AIC) to operate as its investment arm in the Aseer region, south of Saudi Arabia.

The new company will promote and stimulate local and foreign direct investment to develop and transform the region into a year-round tourism destination.

AIC will unlock a wide range of investment opportunities for domestic and international investors across a number of sectors, including tourism, hospitality, healthcare, sports, education, food, and many other fast-growing domestic industries.

It will contribute to fostering public-private partnerships, creating jobs for the local community, and promoting the region’s tourism and investment opportunities.

Raid Ismail, Head of Direct Investments for the Middle East and North Africa at PIF said: “AIC aims to become a leading facilitator of broad-ranging investment opportunities in Aseer.”

AIC will promote the region’s rugged mountains, stunning nature, and storied culture, preserve its ancient history and heritage, and transform it into a world-class tourist destination for visitors from across the globe in line with PIF’s strategy and Vision 2030, Ismail added.

The company’s establishment comes in line with PIF’s strategy to unlock the capabilities of promising sectors in the Kingdom and support the country. It also comes in line with the Aseer region’s position as a leading investment destination.



Gold Drops Nearly 2% on Profit-booking, Trump's Treasury Secretary Pick

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
TT

Gold Drops Nearly 2% on Profit-booking, Trump's Treasury Secretary Pick

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold dropped nearly 2% on Monday, weighed down by profit-taking after a five-session rally, with further pressure from the announcement of fund manager Scott Bessent as the next US Treasury secretary.
Spot gold was down 1.8% at $2,664.53 per ounce, as of 0619 GMT, after declining more than 2% earlier in the session. Bullion had hit its highest since Nov. 6 earlier in the day.
US gold futures shed 1.7% to $2,666.40.
Gold's five-session rally has paused due to some profit-taking and Donald Trump's pick of Bessent as the next US Treasury secretary, hinting at tempered use of tariffs and easing US-China trade uncertainty, said IG market strategist Yeap Jun Rong.
President-elect Trump has floated the idea of a 60% tariff on Chinese goods and at least a 10% levy on all other imports.
Gold is considered a safe investment during times of economic and political uncertainty.
Investors are also awaiting minutes of the Federal Reserve's November meeting, GDP data (first revision), and core PCE figures, all due this week.
Traders currently see a 56% chance of another 25-basis-point rate cut in December, compared to 62% last week, according to the CME Fedwatch tool.
Recent less dovish signals from US policymakers suggest any unexpected rise in inflation could strengthen expectations of a rate hold in December, Rong said.
Higher interest rates tend to make gold less appealing, as they yield no interest.
Some Fed policymakers last week expressed concerns that inflation progress may have stalled, advocating for caution, while others emphasized the need for continued rate cuts.
On the geopolitical front, Hezbollah fired heavy rockets at Israel on Sunday, following an Israeli airstrike that killed at least 29 in Beirut. There were reports of damage near Tel Aviv.
Spot silver fell 2.2% to $30.63 per ounce, platinum was down 1.2% to $952.00 and palladium slipped 1% to $998.88.