PIF, Saudi Electricity Company Announce Launch of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF)
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF)
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PIF, Saudi Electricity Company Announce Launch of Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF)
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF)

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) said on Sunday that it has partnered with the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to launch an electric vehicle infrastructure company.

"PIF will own a 75% stake in the Company, while SEC will hold the remaining 25% stake," the sovereign wealth fund said in a statement.

The company aims to deliver best-in-class electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, further unlocking the local automotive ecosystem and accelerating the adoption of EVs. It plans to establish presence in more than 1,000 locations, installing over 5,000 fast chargers by 2030 in cities across Saudi Arabia and on the roads that connect them, in line with applicable regulations and standards.

The company also aims to enhance Saudi Arabia’s automotive ecosystem, through collaboration with EV companies, by supplying the necessary charging stations to meet future demand. It seeks to promote private sector participation in the development of its network of charging stations and support the localization of R&D and manufacturing of technologically advanced materials, ultimately building domestic expertise and resilience.

“The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company will spearhead the EV transition by deploying best-in-class, widely available EV charging infrastructure to drive the growth of the EV ecosystem. Through our partnership with SEC, we will be able to accelerate the creation of synergies across the EV supply chain, driving economic growth and diversification in line with Vision 2030, and positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in the new electrified era of the automotive industry,” said Omar Al-Madhi, Co-Head of MENA Direct Investments at PIF.

Khalid Bin Hamad Al-Gnoon, Chief Executive Officer at SEC, said: “SEC, as part of the nation’s wider energy ecosystem, develops and implements strategies that aim to enhance Saudi Arabia’s position as a sustainable energy leader, in line with the Kingdom’s efforts to promote advanced energy solutions and increase the value added by the energy sector.”

The launch of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Company is in line with PIF’s strategy to expand Saudi Arabia’s automotive capabilities to promote the country’s competitiveness on the world stage, and ultimately position it as a global leader. It will aim to further Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification efforts, driving non-oil GDP growth and creating new jobs.



Gold Eases on Firmer Dollar, All Eyes on US Inflation Print

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. Reuters
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. Reuters
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Gold Eases on Firmer Dollar, All Eyes on US Inflation Print

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. Reuters
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. Reuters

Gold prices dipped on Monday as the dollar ticked higher, while investors looked towards this week's US inflation data to gauge the size of an expected Federal Reserve rate cut.

Spot gold fell 0.1% to $2,495.04 per ounce by 1027 GMT. US gold futures were unchanged at $2,524.50.

The dollar index rose 0.5%, making dollar-priced gold less appealing to holders of other currencies.

Bullion, which offers no interest of its own, tends to thrive in a low-interest-rate environment.

According to Reuters, traders see a 75% chance of a 25-basis point cut at the Fed's meeting next week, and a 25% chance of a 50 bp reduction. August US consumer price data on Wednesday could change these expectations. Eyes are also on Thursday's Producer Price Index (PPI).

"If inflation numbers comes much lower than expected and raise hopes for a 50 bp cut, then gold could hit all-time highs. But even if the consensus stays for a 25 bp cut, gold wouldn't see a dramatic loss in prices as the Fed is definitely cutting rates," said Kinesis Money market analyst Carlo Alberto De Casa.

"The key support area is at $2,470 and key resistance at $2,520," he added.

Last week, a report showed US employment increased less than expected in August, but a drop in the jobless rate to 4.2% suggested the labour market was not falling off a cliff to warrant a half-point cut.

Fed Governor Christopher Waller on Friday said he could support back-to-back cuts, or bigger cuts, if the data suggests the need. Meanwhile, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said he wants to calibrate policy based on data as it comes in.

On the central bank front, the People's Bank of China held back on buying gold for its reserves for a fourth straight month in August, official data showed on Saturday.

Spot silver rose 0.7% to $28.11 per ounce, platinum gained 1.9% to $939.65 and palladium was up 1.4% at $923.25.