Saudi Arabia to Transform Makkah, Madinah into Global Islamic Business Hub

The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Makkah and Madinah Chambers forge an alliance to transform the two holy cities into a center for attracting Islamic business activities. (SPA)
The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Makkah and Madinah Chambers forge an alliance to transform the two holy cities into a center for attracting Islamic business activities. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia to Transform Makkah, Madinah into Global Islamic Business Hub

The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Makkah and Madinah Chambers forge an alliance to transform the two holy cities into a center for attracting Islamic business activities. (SPA)
The Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Makkah and Madinah Chambers forge an alliance to transform the two holy cities into a center for attracting Islamic business activities. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia seeks to transform Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah in the west of the Kingdom into a center for financial and business activities in the Islamic world.

Three economic entities are joining forces to turn the two cities into a center for business activities, and a platform for knowledge and creativity related to the Islamic world and practices.

In this context, Saudi Arabia will hold a major event on Wednesday at the Makkah Chamber Center for Exhibitions and Events, where representatives from the 57 countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and a number of diplomats will witness the signing of a qualitative partnership agreement between the Chambers of Makkah and Al-Madinah with the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.

Abdullah Saleh Kamel, chairman of the board of directors for the Makkah Chamber of Commerce, said the agreement aims to provide logistical support on the ground in both holy cities through investment and integrated planning for global events.

He added that the partnership will also benefit business sectors in the holy cities by hosting a number of exhibitions, forums, workshops and dialogues with decision-makers from the Islamic world.

For his part, Munir bin Saad, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Madinah Chamber, stressed that the partnership between the three chambers of commerce contributes to a cultural, heritage and urban shift for the two holy cities, and achieves the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030.

Youssef Khalawi, Secretary General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, said that the partnership will seek to organize workshops on the new business concepts, and hold meetings and gatherings at the international level, in addition to establishing permanent centers in the two holy cities, issuing specialized economic reports and developing studies.



Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions

Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions
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Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions

Oil Prices Rise as Concerns Grow over Supply Disruptions

Oil prices climbed on Tuesday reversing earlier declines, as fears of tighter Russian and Iranian supply due to escalating Western sanctions lent support.

Brent futures were up 61 cents, or 0.80%, to $76.91 a barrel at 1119 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed 46 cents, or 0.63%, to $74.02.

It seems market participants have started to price in some small supply disruption risks on Iranian crude exports to China, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

In China, Shandong Port Group issued a notice on Monday banning US sanctioned oil vessels from its network of ports, according to three traders, potentially restricting blacklisted vessels from major energy terminals on China's east coast.

Shandong Port Group oversees major ports on China's east coast, including Qingdao, Rizhao and Yantai, which are major terminals for importing sanctioned oil.

Meanwhile, cold weather in the US and Europe has boosted heating oil demand, providing further support for prices.

However, oil price gains were capped by global economic data.

Euro zone inflation

accelerated

in December, an unwelcome but anticipated blip that is unlikely to derail further interest rate cuts from the European Central Bank.

"Higher inflation in Germany raised suggestions that the ECB may not be able to cut rates as fast as hoped across the Eurozone, while US manufactured good orders fell in November," Ashley Kelty, an analyst at Panmure Liberum said.

Technical indicators for oil futures are now in overbought territory, and sellers are keen to step in once again to take advantage of the strength, tempering additional price advances, said Harry Tchilinguirian, head of research at Onyx Capital Group.

Market participants are waiting for more data this week, such as the US December non-farm payrolls report on Friday, for clues on US interest rate policy and the oil demand outlook.