ACWA Power Signs $738 Million Worth Agreements to Finance Water Desalination Project in the Emirates

The headquarters of ACWA Power
The headquarters of ACWA Power
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ACWA Power Signs $738 Million Worth Agreements to Finance Water Desalination Project in the Emirates

The headquarters of ACWA Power
The headquarters of ACWA Power

Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power announced on Thursday the signing of agreements with a group of local and international banks to secure the funding of the Hassyan Independent Water Producer (IWP) plant in Dubai.
In a statement, the company said it secured SAR 2.76 billion from local and international lenders for a period of 32.5 years.
The banks proving the funding include Standard Chartered, MUFG Bank, Emirates NBD, Korea Development Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP), Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Boubyan Bank, and Saudi EXIM Bank.
The loan agreements were signed by Hassyan Water Company, which is owned 20.40 percent by ACWA Power.

For its part, the Saudi Export-Import Bank announced that it had signed a financing agreement with ACWA Power worth $75 million to finance the Hassyan complex project.

The bank said, in a post on X, that the aim of the financing was “to enable Saudi content in international projects, in a way that enhances the development of Saudi non-oil exports, and stimulates projects that are compatible with the principles of sustainability.”



Oil Rises as Market Focuses on Venezuela and US Sanctions Plans

A view shows disused oil pump jacks at the Airankol oil field operated by Caspiy Neft in the Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev
A view shows disused oil pump jacks at the Airankol oil field operated by Caspiy Neft in the Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev
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Oil Rises as Market Focuses on Venezuela and US Sanctions Plans

A view shows disused oil pump jacks at the Airankol oil field operated by Caspiy Neft in the Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev
A view shows disused oil pump jacks at the Airankol oil field operated by Caspiy Neft in the Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Pavel Mikheyev

Oil prices rose on Thursday after two days of declines as investors assessed Venezuela developments and reports on progress of proposed US sanctions legislation against countries doing business with Russia.

Brent crude futures were up 59 cents, or 0.98%, at $60.55 a barrel by 1038 GMT. US ‌West Texas Intermediate ‌crude gained 58 cents, or 1%, ‌to $56.57.

Higher ⁠prices ​are ‌led by the US President allowing the Russia sanctions bill to advance, as it raises fears of further disruption to Russian oil exports, said PVM analyst Tamas Varga. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on Wednesday that Trump had given the green light on the legislation, adding that the bill could be put ⁠to a vote as early as next week.

Both benchmarks fell more than ‌1% for a second day on Wednesday, ‍with market participants expecting ‍abundant global supply this year. Analysts at Morgan Stanley forecast ‍a surplus of as much as 3 million barrels per day in the first half of 2026. US gasoline and distillate stocks increased by more than analyst expectations in the week ended January ​2, while crude stocks fell, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Washington announced a deal with ⁠Caracas to gain access to up to $2 billion of Venezuelan crude. The deal initially could require the rerouting of cargoes that were bound for China, sources told Reuters. Chinese independent refiners that consume much of the country's Venezuelan imports could switch to Iranian oil to make up the shortfall. The US seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, one sailing under Russia's flag, as part of President Donald Trump's aggressive push to dictate oil flows in the Americas and force ‌Venezuela's socialist government to become an ally.


Gold Falls as Commodity Index Rebalancing Sparks Selling Pressure

UK gold bars and gold Sovereign coins are displayed at Baird & Co in Hatton Garden in London, Britain, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hiba Kola//File Photo
UK gold bars and gold Sovereign coins are displayed at Baird & Co in Hatton Garden in London, Britain, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hiba Kola//File Photo
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Gold Falls as Commodity Index Rebalancing Sparks Selling Pressure

UK gold bars and gold Sovereign coins are displayed at Baird & Co in Hatton Garden in London, Britain, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hiba Kola//File Photo
UK gold bars and gold Sovereign coins are displayed at Baird & Co in Hatton Garden in London, Britain, October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Hiba Kola//File Photo

Gold prices fell on Thursday as investors braced for futures selling tied to a commodity index reshuffle, with a stronger US dollar adding pressure by making the metal costlier for overseas buyers.

Spot gold fell 0.6% to $4,428.06 per ounce, as of 1115 GMT. US gold futures for February delivery fell 0.6% to $4,436.30.

"Gold and silver remain under pressure as the annual commodity-index ‌rebalancing gets ‌underway. Over the next five days, COMEX ‌futures ⁠could ​see ‌selling in the region of $6 to $7 billion in each metal," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.

The annual Bloomberg Commodity Index rebalancing, designed to keep the index aligned with the current state of the global commodity market, begins this week, Reuters reported.

"(The US-Venezuela conflict) added a small georisk premium at the beginning of ⁠the week which is now deflating as the attention turns to the rebalancing," ‌Hansen added.

Meanwhile, the US dollar hovered ‍near a one-month high ‍as investors assessed mixed economic data ahead of Friday’s nonfarm payrolls ‍report.

Data on Wednesday showed US job openings dropped to a 14-month low in November while hiring resumed its sluggish tone, pointing to ebbing labor demand.

Investors are now awaiting the US non-farm payrolls data for ​more clues on monetary policy, with markets pricing in two interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve ⁠this year.

On the geopolitical front, the US seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday.

Spot silver lost 3.2% to $75.64 per ounce, after hitting an all-time high of $83.62 on December 29.

HSBC sees gold hitting $5,000 per ounce in the first half of 2026 on geopolitical risks and rising fiscal debts, and expects silver to trade between $58 and $88 in 2026, driven by supply deficits, robust investment demand, and high gold prices, but warned of a market correction later in the year.

Spot platinum was ‌down 4.2% at $2,211.94 per ounce, while palladium shed 2.4% to $1,721.61 per ounce.


Saudi Commerce Ministry Announces 123,000 New Commercial Registers in Q4 2025

Saudi Commerce Ministry Announces 123,000 New Commercial Registers in Q4 2025
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Saudi Commerce Ministry Announces 123,000 New Commercial Registers in Q4 2025

Saudi Commerce Ministry Announces 123,000 New Commercial Registers in Q4 2025

The Saudi Ministry of Commerce has released its business sector bulletin for the fourth quarter of 2025, highlighting performance trends and key developments in the Kingdom’s business sector.

The bulletin noted that more than 123,000 new commercial registers were issued in the fourth quarter, bringing the total number across the Kingdom to over 1.86 million, according to SPA.

Key indicators showed a 20% increase in establishments over the past five years, bringing the total to more than 1.2 million. Limited liability company registers rose by 183% to over 571,000, while joint-stock company registers increased by 50%, reaching 4,733 compared to 2020.

The bulletin also highlighted growth in promising sectors, including AI, electronic games, cybersecurity, vehicle charging station operations, e-commerce, healthcare, and other activities aligned with Vision 2030.