LONDON: Real estate valuers in Saudi Arabia are set to have their industry credentials further boosted following a preliminary agreement signed with the UK-headquartered Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyor (RICS).
Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding [MoU), members of the Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers (Taqeem) are to benefit from training courses and qualifications approved by RICS.
RICS has accredited at least 118,000 professionals working in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.
It is expected the newly formed partnership will see the two parties work together to ensure their members reach internationally recognized standards of valuation which will bring greater transparency to Saudi Arabia’s property market and help boost investor confidence in the sector.
“Ths MoU paves the way to an agreement that recognizes Taqeem real estate designated members as RICS members after mapping educational, experience and membership requirements of each respective organizations,” said Sultan Al Jorais, Secretary General of Taqeem in a statement on Sept 24.
The Taqeem real estate training program will be considered as a RICS ‘approved’ and ‘fit for purpose’ course, he said, while RICS chartered valuers are also set to be granted interim membership of Taqeem.
“We believe that this MoU also provides a great opportunity for RICS qualified members to enter the Saudi market which will add value to the profession,” said Al Jorais.
Saudi real estate valuers to benefit from RICS’ stamp of approval
Saudi real estate valuers to benefit from RICS’ stamp of approval
- Deal to open up new opportunities in the Saudi market for chartered surveyors
- RICS has accredited at least 118,000 professionals working in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure
Silver crosses $77 mark while gold, platinum stretch record highs
- Spot silver touched an all-time high of $77.40 earlier today, marking a 167% year-to-date surge driven by supply deficits
- Spot platinum rose 9.8% to $2,437.72 per ounce, while palladium surged 14 percent to $1,927.81, its highest level in over 3 years
Silver breached the $77 mark for the first time on Friday, while gold and platinum hit record highs, buoyed by expectations of US Federal Reserve rate cuts and geopolitical tensions that fueled safe-haven demand.
Spot silver jumped 7.5% to $77.30 per ounce, as of 1:53 p.m. ET (1853 GMT), after touching an all-time high of $77.40 earlier today, marking a 167% year-to-date surge driven by supply deficits, its designation as a US critical mineral, and strong investment inflows.
Spot gold was up 1.2% at $4,531.41 per ounce, after hitting a record $4,549.71 earlier. US gold futures for February delivery settled 1.1% higher at $4,552.70.
“Expectations for further Fed easing in 2026, a weak dollar and heightened geopolitical tensions are driving volatility in thin markets. While there is some risk of profit-taking before the year-end, the trend remains strong,” said Peter Grant, vice president and senior metals strategist at Zaner Metals.
Markets are anticipating two rate cuts in 2026, with the first likely around mid-year amid speculation that US President Donald Trump could name a dovish Fed chair, reinforcing expectations for a more accommodative monetary stance.
The US dollar index was on track for a weekly decline, enhancing the appeal of dollar-priced gold for overseas buyers.
On the geopolitical front, the US carried out airstrikes against Daesh militants in northwest Nigeria, Trump said on Thursday.
“$80 in silver is within reach by year-end. For gold, the next objective is $4,686.61, with $5,000 likely in the first half of next year,” Grant added.
Gold remains poised for its strongest annual gain since 1979, underpinned by Fed policy easing, central bank purchases, ETF inflows, and ongoing de-dollarization trends.
On the physical demand side, gold discounts in India widened to their highest in more than six months this week as a relentless price rally curbed retail buying, while discounts in China narrowed sharply from last week’s five-year highs.
Elsewhere, spot platinum rose 9.8% to $2,437.72 per ounce, having earlier hit a record high of $2,454.12 while palladium surged 14% to $1,927.81, its highest level in more than three years.
All precious metals logged weekly gains, with platinum recording its strongest weekly rise on record.
