Saudi Capital Market Forum witnesses 3 major MoUs on its second day  

Saudi Exchange signed an MoU with SVC on the sidelines of the Saudi Capital Market Forum 2023 to stimulate investment in specialized private sector funds in early pre-IPO stages managed by financial institutions. (Supplied)
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Updated 13 February 2023
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Saudi Capital Market Forum witnesses 3 major MoUs on its second day  

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Forum held in Riyadh witnessed three memorandums of understanding being signed between local and international companies on its second day.  

The first MoU was signed by Saudi Tadawul Group and Clarity AI, an artificial intelligence-powered platform that empowers assessment and reporting for businesses.  

The partnership between the two companies aims to explore the potential of creating a data management and investor platform for users in the region and abroad.  

The collaborative agreement will enable international investors to screen and report based on existing and upcoming national benchmarks with the aim of enhancing disclosure practices and frameworks throughout the region.  

The second MoU was signed between SNB Capital and Goldman Sachs Academy while the third deal was between Saudi Venture Capital and Saudi Exchange.  

SVC and Saudi Exchange aim to stimulate investment in specialized private sector funds in early pre-initial public offering stages managed by financial institutions.  

As part of the agreement, the Saudi Exchange will support startups and small and medium enterprises that intend to list in the Kingdom by providing advisory services and training. This will help them better understand the dynamics of the Saudi capital market.  

Established in 2018, SVC is a government venture capital firm that supports startups and SMEs in the Kingdom by investing $1.5 billion through funds and co-investment in startups.  

On the first day of the event, the Saudi Tadawul Group signed three MoUs with the Singapore, Egypt, and Qatar exchanges. 

As part of the agreement, the Singapore Exchange will form working teams to explore dual-listing opportunities. The partnership with the Egyptian Exchange will look at exploring new areas including product collaboration and knowledge transfer. 

The third MoU with Qatar Stock Exchange will look to explore fintech product collaboration and share key learnings and best practices.  

The Saudi Tadawul Group, established in March 2021, is the parent company of Saudi Exchange, a dedicated stock exchange business, the Securities Clearing Center Co., the Securities Depository Center Co., and Wamid, which is the innovation arm of the group.  

The Saudi Capital Market Forum witnessed as many as 13 deals and partnerships during the two-day event which also hosted a number of informative panel discussions and presentations.  

The event hosted over 2,000 issuers, investors, and market participants for two days of dialogue dedicated to advancing regional capital markets. 


Silver crosses $77 mark while gold, platinum stretch record highs

Updated 27 December 2025
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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.