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)
TT

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.



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
TT

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.