Saudi Arabia to Transform Makkah, Madinah into Global Islamic Business Hub

The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Makkah and Madinah Chambers forge an alliance to transform the two holy cities into a center for attracting Islamic business activities. (SPA)
The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Makkah and Madinah Chambers forge an alliance to transform the two holy cities into a center for attracting Islamic business activities. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia to Transform Makkah, Madinah into Global Islamic Business Hub

The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Makkah and Madinah Chambers forge an alliance to transform the two holy cities into a center for attracting Islamic business activities. (SPA)
The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Makkah and Madinah Chambers forge an alliance to transform the two holy cities into a center for attracting Islamic business activities. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia seeks to transform Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah in the west of the Kingdom into a center for financial and business activities in the Islamic world.

Three economic entities are joining forces to turn the two cities into a center for business activities, and a platform for knowledge and creativity related to the Islamic world and practices.

In this context, Saudi Arabia will hold a major event on Wednesday at the Makkah Chamber Center for Exhibitions and Events, where representatives from the 57 countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and a number of diplomats will witness the signing of a qualitative partnership agreement between the Chambers of Makkah and Al-Madinah with the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.

Abdullah Saleh Kamel, chairman of the board of directors for the Makkah Chamber of Commerce, said the agreement aims to provide logistical support on the ground in both holy cities through investment and integrated planning for global events.

He added that the partnership will also benefit business sectors in the holy cities by hosting a number of exhibitions, forums, workshops and dialogues with decision-makers from the Islamic world.

For his part, Munir bin Saad, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Madinah Chamber, stressed that the partnership between the three chambers of commerce contributes to a cultural, heritage and urban shift for the two holy cities, and achieves the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030.

Youssef Khalawi, Secretary General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, said that the partnership will seek to organize workshops on the new business concepts, and hold meetings and gatherings at the international level, in addition to establishing permanent centers in the two holy cities, issuing specialized economic reports and developing studies.



EUROPE GAS-Prices Continue to Decline

Model of natural gas pipeline and Gazprom logo, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
Model of natural gas pipeline and Gazprom logo, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
TT

EUROPE GAS-Prices Continue to Decline

Model of natural gas pipeline and Gazprom logo, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
Model of natural gas pipeline and Gazprom logo, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Dutch and British wholesale gas prices continued to declined on Tuesday morning on milder weather forecasts for next week, high wind speeds and stable supply.

The benchmark front-month contract at the Dutch TTF hub was down 0.61 euros at 46.65 euros per megawatt hour (MWh) at 0947 GMT, according to LSEG data.

The contract for March was down 0.52 euro at 46.63 euros/MWh.

In Britain, the front-month contract fell by 2.04 pence to 116.76 pence per therm.

In north-west Europe, although another cold snap is forecast from Friday over the weekend, the latest forecasts are showing milder temperatures than yesterday from Jan. 15, according to LSEG data, Reuters reported.

Wind speeds are expected to remain quite strong today, limiting gas demand.

However, in north-west Europe, gas-for-power demand is expected 36 million cubic metres (mcm) per day higher at 78 mcm/day on the day-ahead.

"Wind speeds are expected still high today, before dropping sharply tomorrow with the cold spell arriving," said LSEG gas analyst Saku Jussila.

In Britain, Peak wind generation is forecast at around 15.1 gigawatts (GW) today and 14.7 GW tomorrow, Elexon data showed.

Analysts at Engie EnergyScan said EU net storage withdrawals have slowed due to a more comfortable spot balance but the storage gap compared to last year remains high. On 5 January, EU gas stocks were 69.94% full on average, compared to 84.96% last year.

Looking further ahead, analysts at Jefferies expect a tight year for global gas markets due to project delays and higher-than-expected demand.

"European and Asian LNG spot gas prices in 2025 could surpass those of 2024, driven by Europe's increased gas injection needs and the loss of Russian exports outpacing the expected growth in global LNG supply," they said.

"Post 2025, the market is expected to loosen with an additional 175 million tonnes of new supply coming online between 2026 and 2030, primarily from the US and Qatar," they added.

In the European carbon market, the benchmark contract was down 0.91 euro at 73.45 euros a metric ton.