NEOM CEO: We Will Be Model for New Economy Modern Projects, Cities

NEOM CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr participates at the 2nd Municipal Investment Forum “FURAS” (Asharq Al-Awsat)
NEOM CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr participates at the 2nd Municipal Investment Forum “FURAS” (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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NEOM CEO: We Will Be Model for New Economy Modern Projects, Cities

NEOM CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr participates at the 2nd Municipal Investment Forum “FURAS” (Asharq Al-Awsat)
NEOM CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr participates at the 2nd Municipal Investment Forum “FURAS” (Asharq Al-Awsat)

NEOM will be a model for modern projects and cities that represent the focus of the new economy, said CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr. It will do so by embracing many different companies and industries while attracting qualitative foreign investments.

Al-Nasr pointed to NEOM’s efforts in implementing a circular economy based on model future thinking that enacts change at the level of production sectors and the standard of living. This enhances the contribution to the GDP.

He stressed that the giga project would produce 100 % clean energy on a large scale sufficient to operate at the level of NEOM’s energy needs while achieving net zero carbon emissions.

Al-Nasr pointed out that NEOM’s ambition is to build human-centered cities, which will change the global concept of traditional cities, which are usually built for cars and streets without any consideration for nature and people.

Speaking at the 2nd Municipal Investment Forum “FURAS,” Al-Nasr added that the NEOM project will redefine the concept of the city by embracing a 9 million population, and employing the city's resources, in addition to creating a new concept of environmentally friendly tourism.

He added that the project will offer several investment opportunities, various types of projects with different volume levels.

NEOM city is considered a gift from Saudi Arabia to humanity, affirmed al-Nasr.

During the Forum, Mayor of the Riyadh Region Prince Faisal Bin Abdulaziz Bin Ayyaf announced that Remat Al-Riyadh Development Company — the developmental arm of Riyadh Region Municipality — has offered the most significant investment opportunity of its kind in the region to invest in outdoor advertising in Riyadh city, in partnership with the private sector.

This investment opportunity includes building, operating, and maintaining outdoor billboards of different formats, in addition to the development of a number of digital zones.

It also focuses on operational excellence by including the highest technical, environmental, security, and safety standards; as well as comprehensive evaluation criteria to measure the expertise and capabilities of the potential investors in order to manage and operate the project with quality and efficiency, in accordance with the best international practices followed in the sector.

This is to contribute to unleash the potential of the Riyadh region by upgrading the level of municipal services and projects that aim to improve the urban landscape, raise the level of quality of life for the residents and visitors of Riyadh region, and achieve sustainability in the urban development of the region.

It is also considered the first in a series of investment opportunities launched by Remat Al-Riyadh Development Company, as it comes within the framework of what the company announced upon its launch by offering many possible investment opportunities to enable private sector participation.



Gold Eases on Firmer Dollar, Solid US Data

A person passes by a gold shop in Ankara, Turkey May 29, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
A person passes by a gold shop in Ankara, Turkey May 29, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
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Gold Eases on Firmer Dollar, Solid US Data

A person passes by a gold shop in Ankara, Turkey May 29, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
A person passes by a gold shop in Ankara, Turkey May 29, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

Gold prices edged lower on Thursday, weighed down by a stronger dollar and robust US economic data, while caution persisted as markets awaited clarity on tariff developments.

Spot gold fell 0.3% to $3,337.43 per ounce by 0155 p.m. EDT (1755 GMT) after hitting a session low of $3,309.59.

US gold futures settled 0.4% lower at $3,345.3.

Following the latest US data, "there was a bit of rise in the dollar and US Treasury yields are higher. So, it's put a little weakness in the gold market," said Bob Haberkorn, senior market strategist at RJO Futures, Reuters reported.

The dollar gained 0.3%, making the greenback-priced gold more expensive for foreign currency holders.

US jobless claims fell last week, pointing to steady job growth in July, while retail sales data beat expectations, adding 0.6% last month, though some of the gain likely reflected tariff-driven price increases.

Fed Governor Adriana Kugler said the Fed should not cut interest rates "for some time" as the impact of Trump administration tariffs begins to pass through to prices.

Gold is often regarded as a hedge against uncertainty and inflation, but higher interest rates diminish its appeal, as it yields no interest.

On the trade front, Japan's top trade negotiator held talks with the US Commerce Secretary on US tariffs, as Tokyo races to avert a 25% levy that will be imposed unless a deal is clinched by an August 1 deadline.

"If Trump follows through on his threats and trade tensions escalate, it’s not a stretch to imagine gold challenging — and potentially breaking- its record highs again," said Fawad Razaq, market analyst at City Index and FOREX.com.

Meanwhile, gold exports from Switzerland jumped 44% month-on-month in June as bullion flew back to the vaults in the United Kingdom from the US via Swiss refineries, Swiss customs data showed on Thursday.

Palladium was up 3.8% at $1,277.78, reaching its highest level since September 2023.

Fears of an escalating war in Russia, a major palladium exporter, are fuelling supply concerns and driving prices higher, Haberkorn said.

Elsewhere, spot silver added 0.3% to $38.07 per ounce and platinum gained 3.1% to $1,460.13.