Saudi Arabia Explores Financing New Type for Logistics Sector

Saudi Arabia is currently conducting a technical study to provide public companies in the logistics services sector with new funding for “build to suit” warehouse construction projects. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia is currently conducting a technical study to provide public companies in the logistics services sector with new funding for “build to suit” warehouse construction projects. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Explores Financing New Type for Logistics Sector

Saudi Arabia is currently conducting a technical study to provide public companies in the logistics services sector with new funding for “build to suit” warehouse construction projects. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia is currently conducting a technical study to provide public companies in the logistics services sector with new funding for “build to suit” warehouse construction projects. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia is currently conducting a technical study to provide public companies in the logistics services sector with new funding for “build to suit” warehouse construction projects due to the high demand for this type of loan.

Specializing in providing commercial property lessees with an agreement with a developer or landowner to construct a new facility for rent, this type of financing allows for optimal use of the land and building. The lessee usually becomes the sole occupant and determines the design to meet business needs.

Sources said the Saudi Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services and the Saudi Industrial Development Fund have instructed the private sector to grant direct access to new funding for three nominated companies.

This decision follows a series of meetings held to discuss the mechanism, marking a step towards developing and enabling operating facilities in the sector.

Sources confirm that one facility has expressed interest in participating in a trial of the new funding, with two available opportunities currently under consideration.

The move aims to contribute to the development of the logistics services sector, which is experiencing a qualitative leap in Saudi Arabia, and to enable operating companies in the sector.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, launched the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services in 2021, with the aim of positioning the Kingdom as a global logistics hub connecting three continents.

The strategy intends to upgrade all transportation services and bolster integration in the logistics services system and modern transportation patterns. This aims to support the Kingdom's comprehensive development process.

The strategy comprises a series of significant projects designed to facilitate the attainment of economic and social objectives, along with the implementation of efficient governance models to strengthen institutional operations within the system.



Gold Steady as Market Eyes Middle East Conflict, Fed Decision

FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
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20

Gold Steady as Market Eyes Middle East Conflict, Fed Decision

FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo

Gold prices were steady on Tuesday as investors assessed the conflict between Israel and Iran and looked ahead to this week's US Federal Reserve's policy meeting.

Spot gold was steady at $3,383.01 an ounce, as of 0851 GMT US gold futures fell 0.5% to $3,401.30.

Israel and Iran exchanged attacks for a fifth consecutive day on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

US President Donald Trump urged an evacuation of Iran's capital Tehran and cut short his trip to the G7 summit in Canada. A separate report said he had asked for his administration's National Security Council to be prepared in the situation room.

"Markets are waiting for the latest signals whether hostilities between Israel and Iran would escalate or will remain contained," said Han Tan, chief market analyst at Exinity Group.

"Gold still retains its bias for lurching upwards on signs of a worsening Middle East conflict, given the precious metal's stature as the preferred safe haven of late."

Zero-yield bullion is considered a hedge against geopolitical and economic uncertainty and tends to thrive in a low-interest environment.

The US central bank rate decision and Chair Jerome Powell's remarks are due on Wednesday. Traders are currently pricing in two cuts by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Citi lowered its short-term and long-term price targets for gold, projecting prices could drop below $3,000 per ounce by late 2025 or early 2026, driven by declining investment demand and an improving global growth outlook, it said in a note on Monday.

Elsewhere, spot silver was up 0.3% at $36.45 per ounce, platinum was unchanged at $1,246.59, while palladium fell 0.4% to $1,025.44.