عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Business

Saudi Arabia, Greece Discuss Qualitative Investment Opportunities

Athens hosted a series of meetings, including the Saudi-Greek Investment Forum, as part of efforts to develop bilateral economic relationship. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Athens hosted a series of meetings, including the Saudi-Greek Investment Forum, as part of efforts to develop bilateral economic relationship. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia, Greece Discuss Qualitative Investment Opportunities

Athens hosted a series of meetings, including the Saudi-Greek Investment Forum, as part of efforts to develop bilateral economic relationship. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Athens hosted a series of meetings, including the Saudi-Greek Investment Forum, as part of efforts to develop bilateral economic relationship. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

In an effort to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation, the Saudi-Greek Investment Forum convened on Monday in Athens, in the presence of leaders and representatives of the two countries’ public and private sectors.

The forum was chaired by Saudi Investment Minister Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, Greek Minister of Development and Investment Adonis Georgiadis, and Kostas Fragogiannis Konstantinos, Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy Economic and Openness.

Al-Falih is heading a high-level delegation from the public and private sectors and businessmen on an official visit to Greece, from May 29 -31, with the aim of expanding strategic partnership and strengthening investment and trade relations.

On the sidelines of the visit, the Saudi minister met with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and discussed with Vassilis Kikilias, Minister of Tourism, investment opportunities in the tourism sector.

Last year, the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Hellenic Enterprises signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a Saudi-Greek Business Council, in a step that reflects the two countries’ determination to enhance bilateral trade and increase the volume of trade and investment cooperation.

The Council seeks to open new qualitative areas for economic cooperation, facilitate continuous interaction between the business sectors of the two countries and remove the relevant challenges and obstacles.

It also works to exchange information on available markets and investment opportunities, enable partnerships, provide recommendations to the competent authorities to improve economic relations and encourage participation in exhibitions and forums.

Most Viewed

 
 
Business

Türkiye Opens 2026 Debt Auctions, Plans 1.32 Trln Lira in Q1 Domestic Borrowing

People walk along Taksim square during the first snowfall of the year, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP)
People walk along Taksim square during the first snowfall of the year, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP)
TT
TT

Türkiye Opens 2026 Debt Auctions, Plans 1.32 Trln Lira in Q1 Domestic Borrowing

People walk along Taksim square during the first snowfall of the year, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP)
People walk along Taksim square during the first snowfall of the year, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP)

Türkiye will begin its 2026 domestic borrowing on ​Monday with auctions for a 1-year zero-coupon bond and a 4-year floating rate note, with first quarter domestic borrowing set ‌to total ‌1.32 trillion ‌lira ($30.7 ⁠billion).

The ​zero-coupon ‌bonds will mature on January 6, 2027. The floating rate notes mature on January 2, 2030.

The Treasury's ⁠first quarter domestic borrowing ‌program consists of 488 ‍billion lira ‍in January, 520 ‍billion lira in February, and 313 billion lira in March.

Foreign demand, particularly ​for fixed-coupon long-term bonds, will be closely monitored ⁠in the Treasury auctions this week.

Foreign investors have increased their share in the lira-denominated domestic borrowing market from zero 2-1/2 years ago to 7.5% currently.

Business

Gold Surges as US Capture of Venezuela President Spurs Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: People queue outside the ABC Bullion store in Sydney, Australia, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: People queue outside the ABC Bullion store in Sydney, Australia, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
TT
TT

Gold Surges as US Capture of Venezuela President Spurs Safe-haven Demand

FILE PHOTO: People queue outside the ABC Bullion store in Sydney, Australia, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: People queue outside the ABC Bullion store in Sydney, Australia, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo

Gold prices climbed Monday and other precious metals surged, after the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend, escalating geopolitical tensions and lifting safe-haven demand.

As of 0508 GMT, spot gold rose 1.8% to $4,406.77 per ounce, a one-week high. US gold futures for February delivery gained 1.9% to $4,413.40, Reuters reported.

"The events in Venezuela have reignited safe-haven demand, with gold and silver among the beneficiaries as ‌investors look to protect ‌against geopolitical risks," said Tim ‌Waterer, ⁠KCM Trade's chief market ‌analyst.

On Saturday, the US captured Maduro in an attack that was Washington's most controversial intervention in Latin America since the invasion of Panama 37 years ago.

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has taken over as interim leader and said that Maduro remains president.

Geopolitical tensions, combined with interest rate cuts, robust central bank purchases and inflows into ⁠exchange-traded funds contributed to bullion's 64% gains last year, its biggest annual gain since 1979.

It ‌hit a record high of $4,549.71 on ‍December 26, 2025.

Federal Reserve ‍Bank of Philadelphia President Anna Paulson said on Saturday that further ‍rate cuts could be some way off after an active campaign of easing last year.

Her comments come as investors still expect at least two Fed rate cuts this year.

Meanwhile, investors are focused on non-farm payroll data, which is due Friday, for more cues into potential Fed rate cuts, Waterer added.

Non-yielding assets tend ⁠to do well in a low-interest-rate environment and during geopolitical or economic uncertainties.

Spot silver added 3.9% to $75.46 per ounce, after hitting an all-time high of $83.62 on December 29. The metal ended its best ever year on record 147% higher.

Silver was propelled to fresh highs by its designation as a critical US mineral last year and supply constraints in the face of rising industrial and investment demand.

Spot platinum rose 2.2% to $2,189.88 per ounce after touching to an all-time high of $2,478.50 last Monday. It gained more than 5% ‌in early Asia hours to a one-week high.

Palladium climbed 2.1% to $1,671.95 per ounce.

Business

Venture Capital Records Two Historic Milestones, Reinforces Saudi Arabia’s Regional Leadership

Venture Capital Records Two Historic Milestones, Reinforces Saudi Arabia’s Regional Leadership
TT
TT

Venture Capital Records Two Historic Milestones, Reinforces Saudi Arabia’s Regional Leadership

Venture Capital Records Two Historic Milestones, Reinforces Saudi Arabia’s Regional Leadership

The Saudi Venture Capital Company (SVC) announced on Sunday that Saudi Arabia’s venture capital ecosystem achieved two historic leaps in 2025, in terms of total investment value and number of transactions, further reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as the leading venture capital market in the Middle East for the third consecutive year.

This performance reflects the tangible impact of Saudi Vision 2030 and the structural economic transformation taking place across the Kingdom.

In a statement, the SVC said that the Saudi market recorded its highest-ever number of venture capital transactions, reaching 254 deals in 2025, alongside a record investment value of $1.66 billion during the year.

This compares to approximately $60 million in 2018, representing a 25-fold increase in venture capital investment since the establishment of SVC and the emergence of its role as a market maker within the ecosystem.

CEO and Board Member of SVC Dr. Nabeel Koshak said: “What we are witnessing today in Saudi Arabia’s venture capital sector is the direct result of the unlimited support provided by the Kingdom’s wise leadership across all sectors.”

“This support has been translated into a deliberate and well-calibrated economic transformation, moving private capital into a more mature and impactful phase. These figures reflect the strength of the Saudi economy, the clarity of national vision, and the growing confidence of investors, confirming that venture capital has become a core pillar of growth and economic diversification,” he added.

He stressed that the 25-fold growth in investment since 2018, together with the record-breaking figures for both investment value and deal volume, underscores the maturity of the Saudi venture capital market.

“Venture capital today is enabling the creation of scalable companies, generating high-quality jobs, and transforming innovation into sustainable economic value, fully aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030,” he said.