Saudi Minister of Communications Discusses Digital Economy with UN, IsDB Officials

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha meets with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha meets with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Minister of Communications Discusses Digital Economy with UN, IsDB Officials

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha meets with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha meets with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha held talks with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Li Junhua in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The officials met on the sidelines of the second Digital Government Forum 2023.

The minister discussed means to boost the strategic partnership for the growth of the digital economy and artificial intelligence and went over the best practices in the digital government field that align with the modern challenges to build a sustainable digital future.

Al-Swaha also met with Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Dr. Mohammad Al-Jasser for talks on boosting partnerships in the fields of the digital economy, stimulating technological investments and developing the digital government amid the Kingdom’s digital transformation.

The Digital Government Forum is organized by the Digital Government Authority and with the participation of a number of government agencies, experts, specialists, and decision-makers in the field of digital government.



Gold Edges Higher in Holiday Trade; Eyes on Fed's 2025 Plan

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
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Gold Edges Higher in Holiday Trade; Eyes on Fed's 2025 Plan

Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
Gold bars from the vault of a bank are seen in this illustration picture taken in Zurich November 20, 2014. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

Gold inched higher on Thursday in holiday-thinned trade, as investors focused on the US Federal Reserve's interest rate strategy and anticipated tariff policies under President-elect Donald Trump, both of which could influence the metal's direction in the coming year.

Spot gold rose 0.2% to $2,619.59 per ounce, as of 0023 GMT.

According to Reuters, bullion has surged approximately 27% so far this year, scaling multiple record highs, fueled by significant Fed rate cuts, including a jumbo reduction in September, and heightened geopolitical uncertainties.

Meanwhile, US gold futures steadied at $2,637.10.

In a holiday-curtailed week, trading volumes will likely thin out as the year-end approaches, and Markets are eyeing jobless claims data due later in the day, while preparing for major policy shifts, including tariffs, deregulation and tax changes, in 2025 as Trump returns to the White House in January.

On the geopolitical level, the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel traded blame on Wednesday over their failure to conclude a ceasefire agreement despite progress reported by both sides in past days.

Gold is considered a safe investment option during economic and geopolitical turmoil and tends to thrive in a low interest rate environment.