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
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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.



South African Rand Hits Strongest Level since Start of Iran War

South African Rand coins are seen in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/Illustration
South African Rand coins are seen in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/Illustration
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South African Rand Hits Strongest Level since Start of Iran War

South African Rand coins are seen in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/Illustration
South African Rand coins are seen in this illustration picture taken October 28, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/Illustration

The South African rand strengthened on Friday to its strongest level since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, as rising gold prices and a weaker dollar boosted the commodity-linked currency.

At 1229 GMT, the rand traded at 15.9925 against the dollar , about 0.8% stronger from its previous close.

Gold, one of South Africa's main exports, rose to a more than three-month high on Friday and was on track for a third straight weekly gain.

The precious metal was supported by a weaker dollar and the US Treasury's announcement that it would increase buybacks of longer-dated securities, Reuters reported.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he may further increase the government's repurchases of Treasuries. That came after the Treasury said it would double the size of buybacks on longer-dated securities over the next quarter.

The US dollar was set to end a bumpy week lower, making greenback-priced bullion more affordable for buyers overseas.

Like other emerging market currencies, the rand has been at the mercy of global market sentiment, particularly since the start of the Iran war.

On the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Top-40 index was last up 2.2%.

South Africa's benchmark 2035 government bond was also firmer in early deals, as the yield fell 0.5 basis points to 8.56%.


Bitcoin Jumps Further on US Crypto Policy Hopes

FILE PHOTO: Representation of Bitcoin cryptocurrency in this illustration taken September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Representation of Bitcoin cryptocurrency in this illustration taken September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Bitcoin Jumps Further on US Crypto Policy Hopes

FILE PHOTO: Representation of Bitcoin cryptocurrency in this illustration taken September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Representation of Bitcoin cryptocurrency in this illustration taken September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Bitcoin surged Friday on optimism over US cryptocurrency legislation and the US Treasury's surprise move to buy back more of its own bonds, which fueled a shift to riskier assets.

The world's biggest cryptocurrency by market value climbed 6.9 percent to $77,675.94, after reaching its highest level since May, and is up more than 20 percent since Wednesday.

Friday was the third consecutive day in which bitcoin jumped more than five percent.

The sharp rise came after US President Donald Trump urged lawmakers on Wednesday to pass the Clarity Act, a bill to spur cryptocurrency use that has stalled in the Senate.

Bitcoin was also boosted by the US Treasury's bid to lower long-term borrowing costs by doubling its sovereign bond buybacks, a move that lifted investors' risk appetite, AFP reported.

The intervention came after the 30-year Treasury yield surged to levels last seen in 2007, just before the global financial crisis.

The prospect of lower yields makes safer investments less attractive, helping to drive demand for riskier assets such as cyptocurrencies.

"Renewed optimism around crypto progress in Washington helped light a fire under Bitcoin," said Bret Kenwell, US investment analyst at eToro.

"Falling Treasury yields and short liquidations added fuel to the rally," he said.


Gold Climbs to Near Three-month Peak after US Treasury Move

FILE PHOTO: A salesman arranges gold bangles inside a jewelry showroom on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, a major gold buying festival, in Mumbai, India, May 7, 2019. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A salesman arranges gold bangles inside a jewelry showroom on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, a major gold buying festival, in Mumbai, India, May 7, 2019. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo
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Gold Climbs to Near Three-month Peak after US Treasury Move

FILE PHOTO: A salesman arranges gold bangles inside a jewelry showroom on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, a major gold buying festival, in Mumbai, India, May 7, 2019. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A salesman arranges gold bangles inside a jewelry showroom on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, a major gold buying festival, in Mumbai, India, May 7, 2019. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo

Gold prices hit a near three-month high on Friday, poised for a third straight weekly gain, supported by a softer dollar and the US Treasury's bond buyback move.

Spot gold climbed 1% to $4,562.86 per ounce by 0752 GMT, hitting its highest since May 29 earlier in the session. Prices have climbed 4.2% so far this week. US gold futures rose ‌1.1% to $4,620.00.

"We've seen ‌the dollar weakening and that has supported ‌not just ⁠gold but all ⁠precious metals, along with a big change in yields," said Brian Lan, managing director of GoldSilver Central.

The dollar headed for a weekly loss, making greenback-priced bullion more affordable for buyers overseas. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he may further increase the government's repurchases of Treasuries. This comes after the Treasury on Wednesday announced that ⁠it would double the size of buybacks on ‌longer-dated securities over the next quarter ‌to at least $4 billion per operation.

"Attention now turns to whether the ‌move can extend, with upcoming US data and Jackson Hole ‌Symposium (27-29 Aug) likely to shape the next leg in yields and the dollar," said Christopher Wong, precious metals strategist at OCBC. Meanwhile, two Federal Reserve officials expressed caution when asked how the Treasury Department's debt management ‌changes could affect the US central bank's monetary policy stance.

Traders are now pricing in a 67% ⁠chance that ⁠the Fed will keep rates unchanged next month and a 33% chance of a hike, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. Despite gold typically being seen as an inflation hedge, higher interest rates tend to diminish bullion's appeal due to its non-yielding characteristic. The recent rally in prices deterred retail buyers in India, while demand in top consumer China held steady. On the geopolitical front, Bessent said the United States will impose "the toughest sanctions in history" on Iran.

Spot silver gained 1.8% to $69.31 per ounce, platinum climbed 2.6% to $1,875.75, while palladium rose 1.7% to $1,356.59. All three metals were headed for weekly gains.