Business council to discuss investments in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Africa

rown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his delegation get a warm welcome on their arrival in Cairo on Nov. 26, 2018. (SPA)
Updated 28 November 2018
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Business council to discuss investments in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Africa

  • The number of Saudi projects in Egypt has reached more than 2,900
  • Egyptian projects in Saudi Arabia have grown to 1,300, with investments exceeding $2.5 billion

CAIRO: On Tuesday, an important economic meeting headed by the Egyptian-Saudi Business Council will be held in Egypt to coincide with the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 

Ahmed Al-Wakil, chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, said in a statement that the meeting will discuss the development of economic relations at a bilateral level, as well as the launching of tripartite cooperation for joint projects in Africa.

Dr. Alaa Ezz, secretary-general of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, told Arab News that Saudi Arabia ranks first in terms of Arab investments in Egypt. Trade exchange has increased and exceeds $6.2 billion. 

The number of Saudi projects in Egypt has reached more than 2,900. They are worth more than $27 billion, with Saudi contributions exceeding $5.7 billion. 

Ezz added that Egyptian projects in Saudi Arabia have grown to 1,300, with investments exceeding $2.5 billion, of which 1,000 are 100 percent Egyptian capital projects exceeding $1.1 billion.

Dr. Adel Amer, vice president of the Egyptian Center for Political, Legal and Economic Studies, said that Saudi-Egyptian relations cannot be shaken. “Egypt would never delay in helping Saudi Arabia, and vice versa.”

Saudi tourism accounts for more than 20 percent of Arab tourism, and the number of Egyptians working in the Kingdom is 1.8 million, not including family members.

Dr. Sami Al-Obaidi, chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers, said in a statement that the frequent visits between the Kingdom and Egypt are “a sign of the deep relations between the two brotherly countries led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, and his Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.”


Gold slips over 1 percent on strong dollar, easing rate-cut bets

Updated 58 min 23 sec ago
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Gold slips over 1 percent on strong dollar, easing rate-cut bets

  • Chile central bank issues first gold purchase in decades
  • BMI expects silver to average $93/oz in 2026

Gold prices fell more than 1 percent on Thursday, pressured by a stronger dollar and diminishing hopes for a reduction in borrowing costs as the ongoing Iran war stoked inflation concerns.
Spot gold dipped 1.1 percent at $5,118.16 per ounce by 1:31 p.m. ET (1731 GMT). US gold futures for April delivery settled 1 percent lower at $5,125.80.
The dollar gained for a third consecutive session. The greenback is a competitive ‌safe-haven asset, and ‌a stronger US currency makes gold more ​expensive ‌for ⁠holders ​of other currencies.
“The ⁠higher dollar index, rising treasury yields and lack of interest-rate cuts are the negative factors, but the conflict in the Middle East has been generating some safe-haven flows,” said Phillip Streible, chief market strategist at Blue Line Futures.
Two tankers were ablaze in Iraqi waters in an apparent escalation in Iranian attacks that have cut off ⁠Middle East energy supplies. In reaction, oil prices ‌rose sharply for the day.
Iran will avenge ‌the blood of its martyrs, keep ​the Strait of Hormuz closed and ‌attack US bases, new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said.
Higher crude ‌prices feed into inflation by raising transportation and production costs. Gold is considered an inflation hedge, but high interest rates weigh on it by making yield-bearing assets more attractive.
“If they can prevent oil prices from climbing ‌further, gold should be in a good place... On the bullish side for gold, the main argument is ⁠that central ⁠bank buying and steady exchange-traded fund inflows, which have remained positive all year,” Streible added.
Chile’s central bank issued its first major gold purchase since at least 2000. In February, the bank boosted its gold reserves to $1.108 billion, up from $42 million in January, equivalent to 2.2 percent of total reserves.
Elsewhere, spot silver eased 1 percent to $84.90. Prices gained more than 146 percent last year.
Analysts at BMI wrote in a note they expect silver to average $93 per ounce in 2026, with strong investment demand consolidating the gains witnessed in 2025, and offsetting price-induced ​demand destruction in solar ​panels and jewelry.
Spot platinum lost 1.1 percent to $2,145.75, and palladium fell 1 percent to $1,620.86.