Rising gold prices threaten some factories with closure

August 12, 2013

Rising_gold_pricesJeddah, Aug 12: The rising prices of gold during the past two weeks caused stagnation in the Saudi market, and pushed gold merchants to activate sales because factories didn’t halt their production, according to the National Committee for Precious Metals.

The price of the precious metal has registered the second weekly decline, while the dollar has recovered from its lowest value since seven weeks ago.

Speculation about the US Federal Reserve to reduce the bonds purchase program with a value of $85 billion a month was triggered by the low price of gold, which reached its lowest levels this week.

“Gold merchants didn’t lose because of the declining world prices, because most of them deal with gold as physical balance, and most merchants have sufficient gold accounts,” said Ahmad Al-Sharif, member of the National Committee for Precious Metals.

Gold prices declined by 0.2 percent, to $1,308 per ounce, and the market is about to close at 0.25 percent. Delayed US gold contracts, which will be delivered in December declined by $2, to $1,307.90 per ounce.

Silver prices stabilized at $20.19 per ounce, while platinum gained 0.1 percent to $1,488 per ounce. Palladium rose 0.1 percent to $736.97 per ounce.

Meanwhile, the National Committee for Precious Metals is attempting to ferret out illegal gold sellers, which had controlled as much as one-quarter of the gold market.

“Workshops have been organized, which held unknown names in the gold trade, or operated from places that didn’t have defined headquarters contained products with ambiguous origins were combated,” said Al-Sharif. “We are working on a mechanism to combat violating workshops, and educate consumers and merchants who deal with such workshops. We advise merchants, and gold market clients to buy gold from approved individuals.”

He pointed to the existence of “workshops alien to the market” that had a large share before prices rose, which control 25 percent of the market.

“After the rising prices a large number of these workshops sold their stocks and changed their activities because they were illegal dealers,” he said. “After strict controls and the correction of labor status these violating workshops will be eliminated, because most of them are illegal workers who practice their business in un licensed areas.”

“At the present time, and because of the strict control of the Passport Department and the Ministry of Labor, these workshops have 10 percent of the market share,” he said.

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News Network
May 19,2020

Dubai, May 19: In a heart-warming decision to reunite families that have been split by anti-Covid travel restrictions, the UAE has announced that residents with valid visas stranded outside the country can return from June 1.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship said they will begin the process on Monday, June 1, by allowing the return of those residency holders currently stranded outside the country who have relatives in the UAE. Residents who meet this criteria must apply for a Resident Entry Permit on smartservices.ica.gov.ae.

The ministry and the authority said the decision was taken to reunite families that have been affected by the anti-coronavirus measures taken due to the exceptional circumstances.

"The UAE is keen to facilitate the procedures for holders of UAE residency visas who are stuck outside the country and reunite them with their families who were affected by the precautionary measures taken by the country in light of the current exceptional circumstances to combat Covid-19," the federal authorities were quoted by state news agency Wam.

Hundreds of UAE residents are currently stuck abroad and are separated from their families due to the unexpected freeze on air travel imposed by many countries as precautionary measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The #BringBackUAEresidents hashtag was trending on Twitter on Monday as several residents and families requested the government to expedite their return to the UAE.

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News Network
May 2,2020

Dubai, May 2: Saudi Arabia has confirmed 1,362 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of COVID-19 patients in the country to 25,459, the Ministry of Health reported Saturday.

In the daily media briefing, the ministry announced 7 more deaths and 210 new recoveries, raising the total number of fatalities and recoveries to 176 and 3,765, respectively.

Out of the 1,362 new cases reported today, 249 were confirmed in Medina, 245 in Jeddah, 244 in Mecca, 161 in Riyadh, in addition to 126 infections in Dammam, 81 in Khobar and 80 in Jubail.

Dr. Mohammed Al Abd Al Aly, spokesman for Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health reiterated that so far there was no evidence that hot weather will curtail the spread of coronavirus.

Authorities continue to urge people to stay at home unless necessary despite having relaxed some restrictions and curfews at the start of Ramadan.

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News Network
June 23,2020

Riyadh, Jun 23: Authorities in Saudi Arabia have decided to allow a limited number of citizens and residents who are already in the Kingdom to do this year’s Haj.

In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Haj and Umrah said that in light of the continuation of the coronavirus pandemic and the risks of infections spreading in crowded spaces and large gatherings, it has been decided that Haj for this year (1441 H/ 2020 AD) will be held whereby a very limited number of pilgrims from various nationalities who already reside in Saudi Arabia, would be able to perform it.

“The decision was taken to ensure Haj is performed in a safe manner from a public health perspective while observing all preventative measures and the necessary social distancing protocols to protect human beings from the risks associated with this pandemic and in accordance with the teachings of Islam in preserving the lives of human beings, the statement added.

“The government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is honored to serve millions of Haj and Umrah pilgrims annually and it confirms that this decision stems from the top priority it accords maintaining the safety of pilgrims on its land until they depart to their home countries.”

“We ask Allah the Almighty to protect all countries from this pandemic and keep all humans protected and safe, the statement said.

Saudi Arabia’s top priority is to always enable Muslim pilgrims to perform Haj and Umrah rites safely and securely and the Kingdom has been keen since the beginning of the pandemic to take all necessary precautionary measures to protect pilgrims, including by suspending the entry of Umrah pilgrims while ensuring the safety of the pilgrims already present at the holy sites, the statement further added.

Commenting on the Haj decision, the Saudi Human Rights Commission said that Saudi Arabia believes in the universal right to health. Limiting Haj not only protects the Kingdom but also many pilgrims and the communities they call home around the world.

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