Dhaman: Arab Countries See 44% Increase in Trade, Investment Insurance Operations

Dhaman held the 50th meeting of its board of shareholders in Rabat on Saturday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dhaman held the 50th meeting of its board of shareholders in Rabat on Saturday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Dhaman: Arab Countries See 44% Increase in Trade, Investment Insurance Operations

Dhaman held the 50th meeting of its board of shareholders in Rabat on Saturday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dhaman held the 50th meeting of its board of shareholders in Rabat on Saturday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Arab Investment & Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Dhaman) said that the total value of intra-Arab trade, finance and investment insurance services increased by 44 percent to reach around $3 billion in 2022, compared to about $2.1 billion in 2021.

Speaking on behalf of the chairman of Dhaman board of directors, Dr. Naif bin Abdul Rahman Al-Shammari, at the 50th meeting of Dhaman board of shareholders in Rabat on Saturday, Board Member Ambassador Jamal Al-Ghanim said the total value of insurance premiums increased by 7.97 percent to more than $7.6 million compared to their value in 2021.

The Corporation’s balance sheet for the past year showed an increase in the Dhaman assets to $536.2 million, and a rise in property rights to about $508.5 million, while total revenues amounted to about $16.2 million and profits approached $6 million, according to a statement on Saturday.

Al-Shammari pointed to the institution’s achievements in 2022, including efforts to market insurance services, the signing of four memorandums of understanding with Arab and international bodies, and the development of the institution’s role in the field of research and awareness raising.

Based in Kuwait, the Dhaman was established in 1974 as a pan-Arab organization owned by the governments of Arab states and 4 Arab financial institutions, and provides multilateral investment guarantee.

Its objectives include promoting the flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Arab countries by providing political risk insurance to Arab and non-Arab investors and lenders, enhancing Arab exports through political and commercial risk insurance to Arab exporters and supporting domestic trade and economic growth.



Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
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Gold Jumps, on Track for Best Week in Over a Year on Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold prices rose over 1% to hit a two-week peak on Friday, heading for the best weekly performance in more than a year, buoyed by safe-haven demand as Russia-Ukraine tensions intensified.

Spot gold jumped 1.3% to $2,703.05 per ounce as of 1245 GMT, hitting its highest since Nov. 8. US gold futures gained 1.1% to $2,705.30.

Bullion rose despite the US dollar hitting a 13-month high, while bitcoin hit a record peak and neared the $100,000 level.

"With both gold and USD (US dollar) rising, it seems that safe-haven demand is lifting both assets," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Ukraine's military said its drones struck four oil refineries, radar stations and other military installations in Russia, Reuters reported.

Gold has gained over 5% so far this week, its best weekly performance since October 2023. Prices have gained around $173 after slipping to a two-month low last week.

"We understand that the price setback has been used by 'Western world' investors under-allocated to gold to build exposure considering the geopolitical risks that are still around. So we continue to expect gold to rise further over the coming months," Staunovo said.

Bullion tends to shine during geopolitical tensions, economic risks, and a low interest rate environment. Markets are pricing in a 59.4% chance of a 25-basis-points cut at the Fed's December meeting, per the CME Fedwatch tool.

However, "if Fed skips or pauses its rate cut in December, that will be negative for gold prices and we could see some pullback," said Soni Kumari, a commodity strategist at ANZ.

The Chicago Federal Reserve president reiterated his support for further US interest rate cuts on Thursday.

On Friday, spot silver rose 1.8% to $31.34 per ounce, platinum eased 0.1% to $960.13 and palladium fell 0.6% to $1,023.55. All three metals were on track for a weekly rise.