SAL, Sela Sign SAR4 Billion Agreement to Establish Logistics Zone North of Riyadh

The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser, General Authority of Civil Aviation President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, Saudi Falcons Club CEO Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Shamaisi, and several officials, investors, and business leaders. (SPA)
The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser, General Authority of Civil Aviation President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, Saudi Falcons Club CEO Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Shamaisi, and several officials, investors, and business leaders. (SPA)
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SAL, Sela Sign SAR4 Billion Agreement to Establish Logistics Zone North of Riyadh

The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser, General Authority of Civil Aviation President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, Saudi Falcons Club CEO Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Shamaisi, and several officials, investors, and business leaders. (SPA)
The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser, General Authority of Civil Aviation President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, Saudi Falcons Club CEO Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Shamaisi, and several officials, investors, and business leaders. (SPA)

The SAL Saudi Logistics Services Company and Sela Company signed an agreement in Riyadh to launch the SAR4-billion SAL Logistics Zone, covering more than 1.5 million square meters within the Falcons City project north of Riyadh, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The initiative aligns with their joint efforts to boost strategic partnerships, support the logistics sector, and boost the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.

The signing ceremony was attended by Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser, General Authority of Civil Aviation President Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, Saudi Falcons Club CEO Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Shamaisi, and several officials, investors, and business leaders.

Falcon City, for which the agreement was signed by SAL CEO Omar bin Talal Hariri and Sela Managing Director Rakan Al-Harthy, enhances the appeal of the Malham area north of Riyadh.

Home to the Saudi Falcons Club, one of the region’s most prominent cultural and heritage landmarks, the area has contributed to tourism and cultural activities through its programs, events, and international initiatives. This integration of economic projects with heritage activities attracts visitors and investors while reinforcing the area’s status as a comprehensive destination that blends a modern economy with the preservation of Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage.

Hariri stressed that the new logistics zone will significantly bolster the company’s capabilities due to its strategic location near King Khalid International Airport, major highways, and rail networks connecting various regions of the Kingdom. This will solidify its position as a comprehensive hub for shipping and distribution operations, further supporting Saudi Arabia’s role as a key global trade center.

He noted that the SAR4-billion investment in developing a model logistics zone aligns with SAL’s strategic plan to strengthen its leadership as a national logistics provider that adheres to the highest global standards. The zone will feature high-quality, Category A warehouses and storage spaces designed to meet diverse requirements.

Falcons City represents an advanced model of integrated cities, spanning 14.4 million square meters in the Malham area north of Riyadh. Its strategic location ensures easy accessibility and includes key facilities such as the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, a state-of-the-art logistics zone attracting major global companies, an aviation runway, and an aircraft maintenance area, all of which enhance air transport and cargo efficiency.

The project also features economic, commercial, residential, hospitality, and entertainment zones, along with an outlet mall to attract investors, residents, and visitors.



Gold Bounces Back on Softer Dollar, US-Iran Concerns; Silver Rebounds

Gold and silver bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth
Gold and silver bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth
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Gold Bounces Back on Softer Dollar, US-Iran Concerns; Silver Rebounds

Gold and silver bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth
Gold and silver bars are stacked in the safe deposit boxes room of the Pro Aurum gold house in Munich, Germany, January 10, 2025. REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth

Gold rebounded on Friday and was set for a weekly gain, helped by bargain hunting, a slightly weaker dollar and lingering concerns over US-Iran talks in Oman, while silver recovered from a 1-1/2-month low.

Spot gold rose 3.1% to $4,916.98 per ounce by 09:31 a.m. ET (1431 GMT), recouping losses posted during a volatile Asia session that followed a fall of 3.9% on Thursday. Bullion was headed for a weekly gain of about 1.3%.

US gold futures for April delivery gained 1% to $4,939.70 per ounce.

The US dollar index fell 0.3%, making greenback-priced bullion cheaper for the overseas buyers.

"The gold market is seeing perceived bargain hunting from bullish traders," said Jim Wyckoff, senior analyst at Kitco Metals.

Iran and the US started high-stakes negotiations via Omani mediation on Friday to try to overcome sharp differences over Tehran's nuclear program.

Wyckoff said gold's rebound lacks momentum and the metal is unlikely to break records without a major geopolitical trigger.

Gold, a traditional safe haven, does well in times of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Spot silver rose 5.3% to $74.98 an ounce after dipping below $65 earlier, but was still headed for its biggest weekly drop since 2011, down over 10.6%, following steep losses last week as well.

"What we're seeing in silver is huge speculation on the long side," said Wyckoff, adding that after years in a boom cycle, gold and silver now appear to be entering a typical commodity bust phase.

CME Group raised margin requirements for gold and silver futures for a third time in two weeks on Thursday to curb risks from heightened market volatility.

Spot platinum added 3.2% to $2,052 per ounce, while palladium gained 4.9% to $1,695.18. Both were down for the week.


Europe, Türkiye Agree to Work Toward Updating Customs Union

European Union (R) and Turkish flags fly at the business and financial district of Levent in Istanbul, Türkiye September 4, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal
European Union (R) and Turkish flags fly at the business and financial district of Levent in Istanbul, Türkiye September 4, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal
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Europe, Türkiye Agree to Work Toward Updating Customs Union

European Union (R) and Turkish flags fly at the business and financial district of Levent in Istanbul, Türkiye September 4, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal
European Union (R) and Turkish flags fly at the business and financial district of Levent in Istanbul, Türkiye September 4, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal

The European enlargement chief and the Turkish foreign minister said on Friday they had agreed to continue work toward modernizing the EU-Türkiye customs union and to improve its implementation, Reuters reported.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in the capital Ankara on Friday.

"They shared a willingness to work for paving the way for the modernization of the Customs Union and to achieve its full potential in order to support competitiveness, and economic security and resilience for both sides," they said in a joint statement afterward.

The sides also welcomed the gradual resumption of European Investment Bank (EIB) operations in Türkiye and said they intended to support projects across the country and neighbouring regions in cooperation with the bank.


Bitcoin Falls 8% and Asian Shares Mostly Slip after Wall Street is Hit by Tech Stock Losses

FILE PHOTO: Representation of Bitcoin cryptocurrency in this illustration taken September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Representation of Bitcoin cryptocurrency in this illustration taken September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Bitcoin Falls 8% and Asian Shares Mostly Slip after Wall Street is Hit by Tech Stock Losses

FILE PHOTO: Representation of Bitcoin cryptocurrency in this illustration taken September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Representation of Bitcoin cryptocurrency in this illustration taken September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

US futures and Asian shares traded mostly lower on Friday, tracking Wall Street’s losses as technology stocks again dragged on markets.

Bitcoin sank to roughly half its record price, giving back all it gained since US President Donald Trump won the White House for his second term.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 was up 0.8% to 54,253.68, recovering from losses earlier this week, with technology-related stocks leading gains. SoftBank Group rose 2.2% and chipmaker Tokyo Electron rose 2.6%. Japan will also be holding its general election on Sunday, in which Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expects to win a stronger public mandate for her policies.

Shares of Toyota Motor were up 2%. The carmaker said Friday its CEO Koji Sato will be stepping down in April, and is to be replaced by Chief Financial Officer Kenta Kon, The Associated Press said.

South Korea’s Kospi lost 1.4% to 5,089.14, weighed down by tech shares. Samsung Electronics, the country’s biggest listed company, fell 0.4%. Chipmaker SK Hynix was also down 0.4%.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 1.4% to 26,519.60. The Shanghai Composite index was down 0.3% to 4,065.58.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 shed 2% to 8,708.80.

Taiwan’s Taiex was mostly flat. India's Sensex traded 0.1% lower.

Against the backdrop of the technology sell-off this week, bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, saw dimming enthusiasm and was trading about 8% lower at just under $65,000 early Friday, after it briefly sank over 12% to below $64,000 on Thursday. That’s down from a record of above $124,000 in October.

The future for the S&P 500 was 0.2% lower, while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.1%.

On Thursday, the S&P 500 fell 1.2% to 6,798.40, its sixth loss in the seven days. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.2% to 48,908.72. The Nasdaq composite dropped 1.6% to 22,540.59.

Technology stocks were among the worst hit as concerns persist over whether massive AI investments by many of the Big Tech firms will pay off.

Chipmaker Qualcomm sank 8.5% despite better-than-expected quarterly revenues. Alphabet lost 0.5% as investors were focused on its huge spendings on AI.

Amazon fell 11% in after hours trading Thursday after it announced plans to boost capital spending by more than 50% to $200 billion in AI and other areas.

American artificial intelligence startup Anthropic ’s new AI tools also fueled the sell-off of software stocks on Wall Street this week, as its sophistication means many traditional software development services and products could be disrupted or replaced.

Gold and silver prices have been volatile this week following a monthslong rally as investors moved into safe haven assets prompted by factors including elevated geopolitical tensions. Gold prices fell 0.6% on Friday to $4,858.60 per ounce, after nearing $5,600 last week.

Silver prices dropped 5.5% to $72.52 per ounce after rising earlier this week. It lost more than 31% last Friday.

In other dealings early Friday, US benchmark crude oil gained 35 cents to $63.64 a barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, rose 36 cents to $67.91 a barrel.

The US dollar fell to 156.74 Japanese yen from 157.03 yen. The euro was trading at $1.1789, up from $1.1777.