UAE Economy Minister: Opportunities for Cooperation with Israel in Vital Sectors

UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. WAM
UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. WAM
TT

UAE Economy Minister: Opportunities for Cooperation with Israel in Vital Sectors

UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. WAM
UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri. WAM

UAE’s Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, has said that the peace accord between his country and Israel would open up new horizons for economic cooperation to serve their mutual interests and enhance the foundations for sustainable development in the region.

The Minister said Tuesday that the deal stimulates trade and investment cooperation between the UAE and Israel, and the region.

He further highlighted the new business opportunities that would be made available under the deal.

"We have promising opportunities for cooperation in vital sectors that serve the two countries' future economic development agendas. These include medicines, energy, life sciences, food security, financial services, tourism and travel, in addition to the fields of space, defense, security, research and development,” said Al Marri.

He was speaking in a webinar hosted by the American-Emirati Business Council and the US-Israel Business Initiative of the American Chamber of Commerce, with the support of the Trade and Commercial Office of the UAE Embassy in Washington.

The webinar was attended by more than 500 business council and chamber members, most prominently the US-UAE Business Council, the US-Israel Business Initiative, and directors of several multinational companies.

During the webinar, Al Marri said that the UAE and Israel will work together to explore areas of cooperation and jointly develop vital partnership projects between business communities in both countries.

"The outcomes of signing this historic accord will pave the way for new business and investment opportunities, generating new cash flows and robust business activities that will provide immediate benefits to the UAE and Israel. The private sectors in both countries, as well as the regional economies, will undoubtedly benefit from this accord," Emirates News Agency (WAM) quoted him as saying.

He added: "American businesses play a pivotal role in establishing the economic and commercial ties between UAE and Israel, and the American investors and companies can be major players in this regard and serve as vital links by functioning out of their headquarters and offices located in the UAE and Israel."

Furthermore, he elaborated on the main plans and objectives adopted by the UAE government for the upcoming phase, highlighting the government’s general plan and a package of 33 initiatives to support the national economy and promote sustainability, WAM reported.

"Our efforts and initiatives in this regard are part of our vision to overcome the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, promote growth, support business activities across all key sectors, enhance national economy’s resilience and competitiveness, and develop a long-term economic development model," the minister concluded.



Gold Extends Slide to 1-week Low on Curbed Safety Demand, Stronger Dollar

A view shows an ingot 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/File Photo
A view shows an ingot 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/File Photo
TT

Gold Extends Slide to 1-week Low on Curbed Safety Demand, Stronger Dollar

A view shows an ingot 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/File Photo
A view shows an ingot 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/File Photo

Gold prices extended declines on Tuesday, hitting a more than one-week low, pressured by a jump in US dollar and easing safe-haven demand after reports of a possible Lebanon-Israel ceasefire.

Spot gold was down 0.4% at $2,614.56 per ounce as of 0845 GMT, after hitting its lowest since Nov. 18 earlier in the session. US gold futures edged 0.1% lower to $2,614.80, Reuters reported.

The precious metal fell 3.2% on Monday, its deepest one-day decline in more than five months, on news that Israel looked set to approve a US plan for a ceasefire with the Iran-backed Hezbollah, with further pressure from Trump's nomination of Scott Bessent as the US Treasury secretary.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said it had noted that Trump's circle was speaking about a potential peace plan for Ukraine.

"This has reduced the geopolitical risk premium, leading to a decline in gold prices," said Soni Kumari, a commodity strategist at ANZ, adding that a stronger US dollar is also weighing on investor appetite for gold. The dollar was up by 0.3%, after US President-elect Donald Trump vowed tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China, reducing gold's appeal for holders of other currencies.

"So now the focus will shift back to, what Fed is going to do in December meeting," Kumari said. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari, typically on the hawkish end of the US central bank's policy spectrum, said he is open to cutting rates again next month.

Traders will also keep a close eye on US consumer confidence data and the minutes from the Fed's November meeting later in the day.

"I expect gold to trade in a narrow range in the short term, with a slight upward drift," Matt Simpson, a senior analyst at City Index said.

Spot silver slipped by 0.1% to $2,614.80 per ounce, platinum shed 1.1% to $928.40 and palladium was down 0.2% to $971.10.