Egypt to Benefit from Mining in the Golden Triangle

Discussions between the concerned ministries to develop the Golden Triangle region in Egypt (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Discussions between the concerned ministries to develop the Golden Triangle region in Egypt (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt to Benefit from Mining in the Golden Triangle

Discussions between the concerned ministries to develop the Golden Triangle region in Egypt (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Discussions between the concerned ministries to develop the Golden Triangle region in Egypt (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek El-Molla has said that the development of the Golden Triangle region requires the participation of all sectors to attract foreign and domestic investments.

The Golden Triangle project is one of the major mining projects intended to be established between Qena, Safaga, and al-Qusayr. Its area is over 7,000 square kilometers.

It includes tourism, mining, agricultural, industrial, and commercial projects amid expectations of providing about half a million job opportunities in five years.

The area is rich in mining sources that make up 75 percent of Egypt's minerals, including metallic and non-metallic minerals, iron, copper, gold, silver, granite, and phosphate.

Molla chaired a workshop for coordination between the mining and the industrial sectors to explore investment opportunities at the economic zone in the Golden Triangle area.

The minister stressed the importance of increasing the efficiency of the infrastructure and achieving possible benefits from the mining resources, which can be one of the primary resources of added value to the national economy.

The meeting also reviewed the strategy of the Egyptian mining sector, the investment map for the mining sector until 2040, the ministry's vision to develop the Golden Triangle, and maximizing its revenues.

Also, the workshop witnessed agreement on the importance of emphasizing the mining reserves, noting that the last international bids posted by the ministry had activated the mining exploration and discovery operations in the promising area.

At the end of the meeting, Molla highlighted the importance of welcoming all feasible ideas and agreeing on a roadmap to develop the Triangle.

He also called for providing the necessary human cadres and building their capabilities to actively attract investments.

The minister pointed to the importance of the Environment Ministry's participation in the development project in light of the vital role of environmental compatibility regarding luring investments.

He directed officials to work on a dialogue based on the strengths that characterize the region to accelerate the development of outputs that enable the sustainability of work and growth.



Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund Launches First Global Commercial Paper Program

 The Saudi capital, Riyadh (SPA) 
 The Saudi capital, Riyadh (SPA) 
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Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund Launches First Global Commercial Paper Program

 The Saudi capital, Riyadh (SPA) 
 The Saudi capital, Riyadh (SPA) 

The Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, has launched its first-ever global commercial paper program, marking a significant step in strengthening its short-term financing capabilities and expanding its reach in international capital markets.

According to an official statement, the program allows for the issuance of commercial paper through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). It consists of two sub-programs: one for the US market and another for the European market.

The program has already earned top credit ratings: Moody’s assigned it a Prime-1 (P-1) rating, the highest short-term grade, while Fitch Ratings awarded an F1+ rating, also its highest for short-term instruments.

Fahad AlSaif, Head of Global Capital Finance and Head of Investment Strategy at PIF, said the launch aligns with the Fund’s broader financing strategy. “This program reflects our flexible and effective approach to funding, designed to support our long-term investment priorities,” he noted.

Commercial paper is widely used in global financial markets as a tool for short-term liquidity management. PIF’s program is expected to enhance its agility in managing cash flow while complementing its long-term funding plans.

Mohammed Al-Farraj, Head of Asset Management at Arbah Capital, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the initiative highlights PIF’s commitment to robust liquidity management and its ambition to lead both domestically and internationally. He called the move a “strategic addition” to PIF’s funding ecosystem, noting that the strong credit ratings will allow the Fund to secure financing at competitive rates, positioning it to capitalize on key investment opportunities without being overly exposed to short-term market volatility or interest rate risks.

Al-Farraj added that the launch supports PIF’s strategy to diversify its funding sources and balance short-term needs with long-term goals. He pointed out that it will help drive major projects in critical sectors such as renewable energy, future industries, and advanced technology - key pillars of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

He also emphasized the program’s role in strengthening Saudi Arabia’s standing as a global financial hub and increasing its appeal to international investors.

The initiative follows PIF’s broader financing roadmap, which includes issuing green bonds - such as its landmark $3.5 billion sukuk offering - and reflects its continued pursuit of innovative, sustainable funding solutions to fuel the Kingdom’s economic transformation.