Egypt, Nigeria Seal Agreements Worth $30m

Bilateral meetings between Egypt and Nigeria in Cairo on Wednesday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Bilateral meetings between Egypt and Nigeria in Cairo on Wednesday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt, Nigeria Seal Agreements Worth $30m

Bilateral meetings between Egypt and Nigeria in Cairo on Wednesday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Bilateral meetings between Egypt and Nigeria in Cairo on Wednesday (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt witnessed the signing of bilateral agreements and partnerships between Nigerian and Egyptian businessmen during the Egyptian-Nigerian Economic Conference.

The Egyptian African Businessmen's Association (EABA) organized the conference.

Chairman of the EABA Dr. Yousrey ElSharkawi said that the outcomes of the conference include promptly operating the Egyptian plastic sewage pipes factories, and exporting Egyptian ready-made clothes to Nigeria.

ElSharkawi said during a press conference that six companies from both countries agreed on cooperating in the sectors of construction, medical equipment, and engineering industries.

Discussions also highlighted the agricultural sector, fertilizers, and solar energy.

The conference resulted in $30 million worth of agreements between Egypt and Nigeria.

These events achieve the Egyptian dream to ensure the private sector’s access to Africa, said ElSharkawi, and they also seek increasing cooperation.

Several countries from the African continent, including Zambia and Mauritius, intend to send delegations to Egypt in the two upcoming months, according to ElSharkawi.

For his part, Minister of State for Works and Housing Ibrahim El-Yakub expressed his country’s aspiration to cooperate with Egypt in the housing sector.

Yakub examined housing units presented by the private sector, given that Nigeria requires a minimum of 200,000 housing units each year.



Gold Prices Hold Steady as Investors Await US Fed Policy Cues

A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
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Gold Prices Hold Steady as Investors Await US Fed Policy Cues

A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)
A participant shows gold bars during the 21st edition of the international gold and jewelry exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Kuwait City on May 23, 2024. (Photo by Yasser AL ZAYYAT / AFP)

Gold prices remained steady on Wednesday, as investors awaited the US Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates due later in the day, while also focusing on US President Donald Trump's trade policies following his tariff threats.

Spot gold eased 0.2% to $2,758.49 per ounce by 09:55 a.m. ET (1455 GMT), while US gold futures rose 0.3% to $2,775.60, widening the premium over spot gold rates.

The Fed is scheduled to release its latest policy decision and statement at 2 p.m. EST (1900 GMT), with Fed Chair Jerome Powell due to hold a press conference half an hour later to elaborate on the meeting.

The US central bank is widely expected to hold interest rates steady as it awaits further inflation and jobs data and more clarity on the economic impact of Trump's policies before deciding whether to cut borrowing costs again.

"However, the Fed's commentary in regards to the potential for an interest rate cut in the March meeting is going to be in focus," said David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures.

Gold prices neared all-time highs last week after Trump called for lower interest rates. Bullion tends to thrive in a low-interest-rate environment as it yields no interest.

Prices, however, retreated sharply on Monday as a sell-off in technology stocks, driven by Chinese AI model DeepSeek, sparked a rush to liquidate bullion to counter losses, according to Reuters.

The sell-off in the stock market seen on Monday may not be over and the unpredictability of Trump's policies is contributing to an increased demand for gold as a safe-haven, said Jim Wyckoff, a senior market analyst at Kitco Metals.

Trump still plans to make good on his promise to issue tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and his policies are widely seen as inflationary.

Elsewhere, spot silver gained 1.7% to $30.92 per ounce, platinum also added 0.5% to $946.45. Palladium was up 0.8% to $962.50.