MODON Signs Food and Beverage Agreements Worth $285 Million

Saudi Arabia continues to attract investments in the food industry. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia continues to attract investments in the food industry. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

MODON Signs Food and Beverage Agreements Worth $285 Million

Saudi Arabia continues to attract investments in the food industry. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia continues to attract investments in the food industry. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) signed a number of agreements to localize the food and beverage industry in the Kingdom, with total investments amounting to 1.07 billion riyals ($285 million).

The announcement was made on the sidelines of MODON’s participation in the Gulfood exhibition in Dubai, where the authority revealed recent partnerships aimed at localizing the Kingdom’s food and beverage industry in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Industry Strategy.

A statement on Friday said MODON signed an agreement with the Jordan Valley Food Industries, Al-Bayrouty, to establish a factory in the Second Industrial City in Jeddah on an area of 15,000 square meters, with investments worth 50 million Saudi riyals for the production of grains and legumes.

The Authority also signed an agreement with the Kuwaiti Danish Dairy Co. to build a 100,000 square meter factory in Sudair Industrial and Business City near Riyadh to produce a variety of food and beverages.

MODON also signed an agreement with Siniora Food Industries, according to which the Authority will allocate a piece of land with an area of 25,000 square meters for long-term use in the second industrial area in Jeddah for Siniora to build a factory to produce all types of cold cuts and frozen meat. The estimated cost of this investment is about 140 million Saudi riyals, equivalent to USD37 million.



Gold Prices Climb on Safe-Haven Demand; US Payrolls Data in Focus

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
TT

Gold Prices Climb on Safe-Haven Demand; US Payrolls Data in Focus

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold prices climbed on Friday, supported by safe-haven demand arising from the Middle East conflict, while spotlight shifted towards US payrolls report to gauge the trajectory of the Federal Reserve's policy path.
Spot gold was up 0.3% at $2,662.50 per ounce, as of 0325 GMT, after climbing to an all-time high of $2,685.42 on Sept. 26. Bullion has gained 0.2 for the week.
US gold futures edged 0.1% higher to $2,682.10.
The dollar eased 0.1%, pulling back from over a one-month high, making greenback-priced bullion less expensive for other currency holders, reported Reuters.
Geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning Israel and Iran, are supporting gold prices and unless these risks subside, prices are likely to remain near record levels, said Ajay Kedia, director at Kedia Commodities, Mumbai.
The US is discussing strikes on Iran's oil facilities as retaliation for Tehran's missile attack on Israel, President Joe Biden said, while Israel's military hit Beirut with new air strikes in its battle against Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Bullion is considered a safe investment during times of political and financial uncertainty, and thrives in a low-rate environment.
The US nonfarm payroll data is due at 1230 GMT. New York Fed President John Williams and Chicago Fed President Austan are also scheduled to speak later in the day.
If the NFP report comes in strong, it will be positive for the dollar and then gold prices will see some profit-booking, Kedia added.
Traders see a 69% chance of a 25-basis-point Fed rate cut in November, according to CME FedWatch Tool.
BMI said in a note it expects gold prices to trade within the range of $2,500 to $2,800 in the coming months.
Spot silver rose 0.4% to $32.17 per ounce and has gained about 1.8% so far this week.
Platinum climbed 1.1% to $1,001.79 and palladium advanced 1.4% to $1,013.46.