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Saudi Arabia Launches Major Partnerships, Agreements to Boost Tourism

Saudi Arabia launches significant partnerships and agreements to boost tourism and hospitality (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia launches significant partnerships and agreements to boost tourism and hospitality (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Launches Major Partnerships, Agreements to Boost Tourism

Saudi Arabia launches significant partnerships and agreements to boost tourism and hospitality (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia launches significant partnerships and agreements to boost tourism and hospitality (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Several global partnerships and agreements enhancing the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia were accomplished at the Future Hospitality Summit, which concluded Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia hosted the second edition of the Future Hospitality Summit under the theme "Reimagined Horizons" on the 24th and 25th of May at Riyadh Airport Marriott Hotel.

The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) announced it signed three new management agreements with international brands to operate resorts in the first phase of development at the Red Sea destination.

Chief business officer at the Saudi Tourism Development Fund (TDF) Wahdan al-Kadi said that the project presents a significant opportunity to attract more investors to the Kingdom's tourism sector, resulting in job creation and improving the overall quality of life, and the development of tourism destinations.

TDF signed a financing agreement with Rimal al-Khobar Real Estate Company Ltd., co-owned by Retal Urban Development Co. and Assayel Arabia, to develop the first Nobu complex in the Eastern Province.

"The Saudi tourism sector is undergoing a major development drive, and we are committed to enabling private sector investors' participation and providing them with the necessary support to develop quality tourism projects across the country," noted Kadi.

He noted that the Nobu project reflects investors' confidence in the Kingdom and signals strong support for tourism development projects.

"Agreements like this are testament to the crucial role that TDF plays in advancing the Kingdom's economic diversification."

Meanwhile, the CEO of Dur Hospitality, Sultan al-Otaibi, explained that the summit helps exchange ideas and experiences between industry leaders and investors in the hospitality sector.

Otaibi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the sector is recovering after the coronavirus, which was reflected in the performance in the first quarter of this year.

He stated that the conference helped launch several investment partnerships in the industry and global operators that are in line with the requirements of the next stage, reiterating the importance of the conference's continuity in implementing the Kingdom's hospitality sustainability plans.

Otaibi expected an increase in investment in tourist villages and resorts in the Kingdom during the coming period, pointing out that demand signals a promising future for the sector in Saudi Arabia.

CEO at TRSDC John Pagano confirmed that the signing of the recent agreements is evidence of the increasing demand for opportunities in the rapidly growing tourism market in the Kingdom.

"This announcement demonstrates industry confidence in The Red Sea Project, with a total of 12 hospitality brands now confirmed, and signifies a growing appetite from global leaders to participate in expanding the Saudi tourism market. With two brands now entering the region for the first time, I believe the future of tourism in the Kingdom is bright," said Pagano.

Three renowned luxury brands will join a group of the most prominent international hospitality brands that have previously concluded agreements to manage and operate hotels in the Red Sea, most notably EDITION Hotels and St Regis Hotels & Resorts, which is part of Marriott International, Fairmont Hotel & Resorts, Raffles Hotels & Resorts, and SLS Hotels & Residences, part of global hospitality group Accor.

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Oil Falls but on Track for 8% Weekly Gain on Supply Concerns; US Diesel Hits Record High

WHITING, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 08: An aerial view shows the sprawling BP refinery on September 08, 2026 in Whiting, Indiana. (Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
WHITING, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 08: An aerial view shows the sprawling BP refinery on September 08, 2026 in Whiting, Indiana. (Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
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Oil Falls but on Track for 8% Weekly Gain on Supply Concerns; US Diesel Hits Record High

WHITING, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 08: An aerial view shows the sprawling BP refinery on September 08, 2026 in Whiting, Indiana. (Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
WHITING, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 08: An aerial view shows the sprawling BP refinery on September 08, 2026 in Whiting, Indiana. (Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Oil prices fell on Friday but remained on course for a weekly gain of more than 8% while US diesel prices hit a record high as attacks along Middle East shipping routes stoked concerns about prolonged supply disruptions.

Brent crude futures were down $3.45, or 3.21%, to $104.18 a barrel at 1132 GMT.

US West Texas Intermediate crude fell $2.96, or 2.89%, to $99.52 a barrel. Both benchmarks hit their highest levels since mid-May earlier in the session.

The benchmarks reversed early gains after the Financial Times reported that foreign ministers in the Middle East are trying to work out a temporary deal with Iran to manage shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent and WTI rose more than 6% on Thursday after an escalation in shipping attacks in the region.

"Some headlines of possible new talks in the Middle East are weighing moderately on oil prices today," said UBS energy analyst Giovanni Staunovo. "I keep seeing near-term risks to the upside for oil prices, but we should expect ongoing high price volatility too."

In a further potentially significant development for Riyadh, satellite imagery showed smoke on Thursday in the vicinity of Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline, which has become a vital means for the kingdom to divert its crude exports away from Hormuz.

Saudi Arabia's crude supply fell by 2.3 million barrels per day on the month to 6 million bpd in August, the lowest level in more than three decades, the International Energy Agency said on Friday, citing attacks on Saudi energy facilities.

Adding to concerns over regional oil flows, Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on Friday reached the island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, four Yemeni government sources told Reuters, potentially tightening their grip on one of the world's vital shipping routes.

Iran said it had attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, after the US hit five Iranian oil tankers. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it would escalate its response to any further attacks.

Vessel transits at the Strait of Hormuz fell to seven on Thursday from 11 the previous day, preliminary ship-tracking data showed on Friday.

The strait handled about 125 commodity vessels and one-fifth of global daily oil and liquefied natural gas supplies before the Iran war began in late February.

Meanwhile, two European Central Bank policymakers opened the door on Friday to further interest rate increases if a war-fuelled rise in energy prices continues and pushes up other prices in the euro zone.

SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS LIFT FUEL PRICES

Oil supply disruptions due to the Iran war, along with Ukrainian attacks on Russia's refineries, pushed the US national average diesel price past $6 a gallon for the first time on Thursday, according to price tracker GasBuddy.

"Refined products, particularly diesel, are feeling a one-two punch right now," said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

"As long as both the Gulf shipping constraints and Russian refining outages remain in play, diesel and other refined products are likely to show a higher upside tendency than the broader crude market," he added.

Commerzbank raised its year-end Brent crude forecast to $85 a barrel from $75, while increasing its diesel forecast to $1,200 a ton from $950 and its jet fuel forecast to $1,230 a ton from $980.

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Gold Gains on Softer Oil; US Inflation Data in Focus

A view of smelted gold bars at a smelting facility in Accra, Ghana, August 22, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/
A view of smelted gold bars at a smelting facility in Accra, Ghana, August 22, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/
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Gold Gains on Softer Oil; US Inflation Data in Focus

A view of smelted gold bars at a smelting facility in Accra, Ghana, August 22, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/
A view of smelted gold bars at a smelting facility in Accra, Ghana, August 22, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/

Gold prices rose on Friday, but were headed for a weekly loss, as oil slipped from multi-month highs and assuaged some inflationary concerns, as investors awaited key US economic data for clues on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy path.

Spot gold rose 0.6% to $4,339.46 per ounce by 1105 GMT. It was down nearly 3% for the week so far.

Prices fell on Thursday after the US Producer Price Index data showed prices increased in line with expectations in August amid a rebound in the cost of energy products.

US gold futures dropped 0.6% to $4,381.30.

The precious metal is benefiting from "softer oil prices on hopes a Monday meeting between GCC ministers and Iran can yield some results regarding the passage of oil through the Strait," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank. "In addition, buyers once again emerged ahead of a key support area around $4,300," said Hansen.

Oil prices were set to end the week above $100 a barrel.

Higher oil prices stoke inflation fears and bolster expectations of the Fed raising interest rates. While gold is typically seen as an inflation hedge, higher interest rates diminish the appeal of non-yielding bullion.

Traders are now pricing in a 67% chance of a rate hike at the central bank's policy meeting next week, up from 62% before the data, according to the CME FedWatch Tool. The US consumer price inflation report is due at 1230 GMT.

Elsewhere, gold demand in India was subdued this week as volatile prices discouraged buyers, while investment demand remained strong in top consumer China.

Among other metals, spot silver rose 0.4% to $63.80 per ounce, but was down 3% for the week.

Platinum climbed 0.9% to $1,792.07 and palladium gained 2.4% to $1,312.90. However, both metals were on track for a weekly loss.

Business

France Lowers Growth Forecast, Will Miss Deficit Target

French Minister for Economy, Finance, and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty Roland Lescure gestures as he speaks during a press conference to update the governments growth and fiscal deficit forecasts for the 2027 budget, at the Bercy Economy and Finance Ministry in Paris, France, September 11, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
French Minister for Economy, Finance, and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty Roland Lescure gestures as he speaks during a press conference to update the governments growth and fiscal deficit forecasts for the 2027 budget, at the Bercy Economy and Finance Ministry in Paris, France, September 11, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
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France Lowers Growth Forecast, Will Miss Deficit Target

French Minister for Economy, Finance, and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty Roland Lescure gestures as he speaks during a press conference to update the governments growth and fiscal deficit forecasts for the 2027 budget, at the Bercy Economy and Finance Ministry in Paris, France, September 11, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
French Minister for Economy, Finance, and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty Roland Lescure gestures as he speaks during a press conference to update the governments growth and fiscal deficit forecasts for the 2027 budget, at the Bercy Economy and Finance Ministry in Paris, France, September 11, 2026. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

France's economy will grow less than expected this year and the government will miss its budget deficit target, Finance Minister Roland Lescure said on Friday.

The downgraded outlook complicates the government's task of getting its 2027 budget passed in the coming months in a deeply divided parliament, where parties have hardened their positions before an April-May two-round presidential election.

Lescure told journalists he was lowering the government's 2026 economic growth forecast to 0.5% from 0.7% previously, but stuck with a ⁠projection of 1.0% ⁠for next year.

"This year has been marked by extreme crises involving four different types of shocks," Lescure told reporters, according to Reuters.

Slower growth will make it more difficult for the government to trim its fiscal budget deficit as planned to 5.0% of economic output this year.

"The ⁠reality is that the budget was built on a 5% assumption. And the reality is that, today, 5% is no longer an option," Lescure said.

The minister did not give a new deficit target.

The economic fallout from the war in the Middle East and summer heatwaves and drought that hit agriculture output have dragged down growth and put the government's fiscal targets out of reach.

"I think it is reasonable to say that economic ⁠uncertainty has ⁠never been greater than it is today," Lescure said. "We are operating under tight budgetary constraints; there is no more fat to trim."

Further complicating the picture, French borrowing rates have surged in recent weeks as investors have identified France as one of the weaker links in a global bond selloff due to its weak public finances and serial slippage on its deficit-reduction plans.

Lescure stressed that France had no difficulties in issuing debt, but acknowledged that it now cost more.