SHANGHAI: Volatility in China’s yuan since August is a normal market reaction to escalating trade frictions stoked by the US and was caused, to some extent, by Washington’s decision to raise tariffs, a senior Chinese central bank official said.
Zhu Jun, director-general of the People’s Bank of China’s international department, made the comments to a forum held in the northern Chinese province of Heilongjiang.
The US Treasury Department on Monday labeled China a currency manipulator, hours after China let the yuan drop through a key support level to its lowest point in more than a decade. The moves jolted financial markets, fueling fears of a global currency war.
Days earlier, US President Donald Trump had vowed to impose a 10 percent tariff on $300 billion of Chinese imports from Sept. 1, ending a temporary truce and sharply escalating the trade dispute.
Zhu said that the yuan’s move was a normal reaction to Trump’s tariff threat. “The labeling ... violates basic, common economic sense and international consensus, and is unconvincing,” Zhu said, adding that the Chinese economy was resilient and capable of coping with various situations.
The year-long trade war between the world’s two largest economies has already spread beyond tit-for-tat tariffs on goods to other areas such as technology, and analysts caution retaliation could widen in scope and severity, weighing further on business confidence and global economic growth.
The yuan lost 1.6 percent against the dollar last week, but there were signs in the last few sessions that authorities were trying to stabilize it.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been reluctant to comment on the US move. The US is the IMF’s largest shareholder and has strong sway over who will be its new leader after Christine Lagarde resigned last month.
A US Treasury official said Secretary Steven Mnuchin spoke with IMF Acting Managing Director David Lipton this week by telephone about currency consultations and also about the leadership succession.
On Friday, the head of the IMF’s China department, James Daniel, stood by the fund’s assessment last month in a report on currencies and trade balances that the value of China’s yuan was broadly in line with economic fundamentals.
He provided no clues to the path forward on the IMF’s engagement with Treasury.
“Our discussions with the US Treasury are ongoing on a range of issues,” Daniel told reporters on a conference call about the IMF’s annual review of China’s economic policies.
G7 officials have also declined to discuss the issue despite repeated queries.
Prominent economists, including former IMF chief economist Maurice Obstfeld and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, say there is no evidence to support the move.
China’s global current account surplus is close to zero and Beijing has spent hundreds of billions of dollars to prop up the yuan’s value in the face of mounting tariff pressures.
For the moment, European nations are in no mood to aggravate China or support Trump given his threats to impose tariffs on EU exports, said Stephanie Segal, a former senior Treasury official now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Any attempt to intervene on currency markets would be difficult to do alone, Segal said.
“Currency markets are just too big to act unilaterally, even if it’s the United States,” she said. “It’s not sustainable.”
Naoyuki Yoshino, dean of the Asian Development Bank Institute and former chairman of the Japanese Ministry of Finance’s council on foreign exchange, said the announcement was all about politics, not economic fundamentals.
“The best solution is (for China) to open its capital market,” he said. “Then, if their exports keep on going, capital inflows will come and then the (yuan) should automatically appreciate,” he said.
This currency move would not be the first time that the Trump administration has ignored established policy-making protocols to carry out the president’s directives.
Philip Diehl, a former senior US Treasury official who ran the US Mint when China was last labeled a currency manipulator in 1994, said the designation followed intense deliberations within the Treasury and State Departments that also weighed human rights issues.
He said the Trump administration’s actions call into question the legitimacy of the whole process for evaluating currency manipulations.
“They’re not well thought out, they’re impulsive and they do not appear to be coordinated with our allies,” Diehl said.
Volatility in China’s yuan linked to US trade friction
Volatility in China’s yuan linked to US trade friction
- The US is the IMF’s largest shareholder and has strong sway over who will be its new leader after Christine Lagarde resigned last month
Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,892
- Parallel market Nomu gained 86.66 points, or 0.28%, to close at 31,007.06
- MSCI Tadawul Index lost 3.16 points, or 0.21%, to close at 1,493.74
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Wednesday, losing 21.63 points, or 0.18 percent, to close at 11,892.32.
The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR2.79 billion ($746 million), as 132 of the stocks advanced and 86 retreated.
The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu gained 86.66 points, or 0.28 percent, to close at 31,007.06. This comes as 49 of the listed stocks advanced, while 29 retreated.
The MSCI Tadawul Index lost 3.16 points, or 0.21 percent, to close at 1,493.74.
The best-performing stock of the day was Al-Baha Investment and Development Co., whose share price surged 8.33 percent to SR0.52.
Other top performers included Red Sea International Co., whose share price rose 6.32 percent to SR60.60 and Saudi Industrial Development Co., whose share price surged 5.07 percent to SR30.05.
MBC Group Co. recorded the biggest drop, falling 3.31 percent to SR52.50.
Bawan Co. also saw its stock prices fall 3.05 percent to SR54.10.
Savola Group saw its stock prices drop 2.97 percent to SR35.90.
On the announcements front, Saudi Arabian Mining Co., also known as Ma’aden, has announced acquiring a full stake of Mosaic Phosphate in Waad Al-Shamal Phosphate Co.
According to a Tadawul statement, the financial impact of the acquisition will be reflected in the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ending Dec.31.
Ma’aden ended the session at SR49.20, up 0.61 percent.
Kingdom Holding Co. has announced the acquisition of an additional stake in xAI, with a total investment of SR 1.5 billion, as part of xAI’s Series C funding round.
A bourse filing revealed that the transaction comes after KHC’s previous investment of the same amount in xAI during its Series B funding round.
The move falls in line with KHC’s strategic collaboration with Elon Musk, and also follows its strategic stake in X, formerly known as Twitter, held since 2015. xAI is an artificial intelligence firm established by Elon Musk and a team of top-notch engineers to build AI to further accelerate human scientific discovery as a whole.
KHC ended the session at SR9.35, up 0.88 percent.
Bank Al-Jazira has announced its intention to issue Additional Tier 1 Sukuk under its SR 5 billion Additional Tier 1 Capital Sukuk Issuance Program by way of private placement in Saudi Arabia.
According to a Tadawul statement, the bank has mandated Al-Jazira Capital, Al-Rajhi Capital and HSBC Saudi Arabia as joint lead managers and dealers for the potential offer. The filing further revealed that the purpose of the offer is to bolster the capital base of the bank, thereby backing its financial and strategic needs.
Bank Al-Jazira ended the session at SR18.64, up 0.21 percent.
Methanol Chemicals Co. has announced the approval of the Ministry of Energy’s request to renew the allocation of the required feedstock to produce several specialized petrochemical products.
A bourse filing revealed that this follows the company’s Industrial Plot Allocation Agreement with Jubail and Yanbu Industrial Cities Services Co. in the PlasChem Park in Jubail (2) to establish and operate a Choline Chloride and Methyl Diethanolamine Methane plant.
Methanol Chemicals Co. ended the session at SR18.70, down 0.32 percent.
View United Real Estate Development Co. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Watheeq Capital to establish real estate funds to enhance investment opportunities.
According to a Tadawul statement, it will be valid from the date of its signature for one year, and will not be automatically renewed except by a written agreement signed between the two parties.
View United Real Estate Development Co. ended the session at SR68.50, down 0.70 percent.
MODON inks $453m in private sector deals to expand Saudi industrial cities
JEDDAH: Saudi industrial cities are set for further growth as the sector's authority revealed it has signed 23 development contracts with the private sector, valued at over SR1.7 billion ($453 million).
The agreements, announced by the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, or MODON, encompass a wide range of projects aimed at boosting industrial capabilities.
These include the expansion of industrial cities, the construction of ready-made factories, the enhancement of MODON’s safety and security systems, and initiatives aligned with the National Industry Strategy.
Additionally, the projects will address water and irrigation needs, improve water treatment facilities, upgrade electricity services, and expand road networks.
MODON’s latest contracts highlight the growing role of the private sector in supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 goals, which emphasize economic diversification, local production, and the creation of an attractive environment for both domestic and foreign investment.
The projects are expected to enhance the competitiveness of Saudi industrial cities, foster greater investment, and improve operational efficiency for businesses.
The agreements will also contribute to regional development, improve environmental sustainability, and promote vegetation growth, MODON stated in a post on its X account.
The development of these projects is in line with Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to build a dynamic and innovative economy.
This move follows a previous round of agreements in July, when MODON signed nine contracts valued at SR1 billion to enhance infrastructure and service facilities across various industrial hubs. Key initiatives from that round included the development of infrastructure in Makkah’s and Jeddah’s industrial cities and the installation of 132-kilovolt overhead power lines in Tabuk’s industrial city.
Looking ahead, MODON plans further expansion with projects that will improve electrical services, such as the construction of 115-kV overhead power lines in Hafr Al-Batin’s industrial city. The authority is also focusing on enhancing infrastructure networks for the first and second phases of Dammam’s Third Industrial City.
Since its establishment in 2001, MODON has overseen the development of 36 industrial cities and is responsible for managing both operational and under-construction industrial lands across the Kingdom.
In the first quarter of 2024, MODON attracted SR3.4 billion in private sector investments, signed 142 new industrial contracts, and registered a total of 6,758 factories.
As part of its commitment to sustainable growth, MODON also planted over 576,000 trees and finalized 335 logistics contracts, underscoring its broader environmental and economic development objectives.
2.25m freelancers in Saudi Arabia join national economy
- The 25— 34 age group is particularly active in freelancing
- 62% of freelancers hold bachelor’s degrees
JEDDAH: Freelancing is emerging as a key contributor to Saudi Arabia’s economy, with over 2.25 million individuals registered on the freelance platform by September.
This growth reflects the rising popularity of flexible work, supported by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s launch of the “Future Work” company in 2019 to enhance the freelancing ecosystem by promoting modern workstyles, including remote work and flexible-hour freelancing.
The company’s mission is to create more job opportunities, empower Saudi talent, and develop a labor market that complements traditional employment while aligning with global trends, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Freelancers make a notable contribution to Saudi Arabia’s economy. In 2023, the sector contributed SR72.5 billion ($19 billion) to the gross domestic product, representing 2 percent of the Kingdom’s total output. This highlights its role in diversifying income sources and strengthening the national economy.
The initiative, along with other efforts, has contributed to reducing the Kingdom’s unemployment rates. Saudi Arabia has revised its unemployment target to 5 percent by 2030, down from the previous goal of 7 percent, as part of Vision 2030’s ambitions.
The progress was highlighted by Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi during a panel discussion at the Budget Forum 2024 in November, where he detailed the Kingdom’s strides in improving employment figures. Al-Rajhi said that the unemployment rate among Saudis was 12.8 percent in 2018, and it has recently dropped to 7.1 percent.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development issues freelance certificates to individuals specializing in specific fields, enabling them to work independently in activities approved by the ministry through the official freelance portal.
A recent report from Future Work highlights the sector’s rapid development and its alignment with Vision 2030. The report also emphasizes the diverse nature of freelance activities, with trade and retail leading at 38 percent, followed by industry at 13 percent and business services at 11 percent. The diversity demonstrates the sector’s adaptability to meet various economic needs.
Freelancing accommodates individuals with different educational backgrounds. According to the report, 62 percent of freelancers hold bachelor’s degrees, while 31 percent have high school diplomas or less, and 7 percent possess higher degrees.
Technology plays a pivotal role in the sector’s growth, with digital platforms becoming indispensable for freelancers, especially in fields like technology, information, and finance. These tools enhance productivity and connectivity, fostering sustainability and success in freelance careers.
Geographically, the Riyadh region accounts for the largest share of freelancers at 27 percent, followed by Makkah at 22 percent, and the Eastern Province at 14 percent.
The 25— 34 age group is particularly active in freelancing, reflecting the younger generation’s growing interest in this flexible career path.
The report said that 3.2 million women have expressed interest in joining the freelance market, underscoring the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at enabling women to balance professional and personal commitments.
Government programs like Reef, the Social Development Bank, and the Human Resources Development Fund further support freelancers by fostering an environment conducive to their growth and success, SPA reported.
Saudi Arabia’s food & beverage sales drive $3.14bn in consumer spending
- Restaurants and cafes topped the list with SR1.69 billion in transactions: SAMA data
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s consumer spending reached SR11.8 billion ($3.14 billion) in the week of Dec. 15 to Dec. 21, with the food and beverage sectors continuing to lead in sales, official data showed.
Despite an overall decline of 8.1 percent from the previous week, key sectors, especially dining and food, showed consistent performance, according to data from the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA.
The restaurants and cafes sector topped the list with SR1.69 billion in transactions, despite a 13.9 percent weekly dip. Food and beverage spending followed closely, settling at SR1.69 billion as well, reflecting a 9 percent decrease. These categories, however, maintained their dominance in consumer expenditure.
The overall decrease in consumer spending is attributed to the timing of salary disbursements, traditionally paid on the 27th of each month, which typically leads to lower spending in the preceding weeks.
Additionally, the winter holiday season, during which many expatriates travel home, further influenced the dip in domestic spending.
Other sectors saw more moderate drops. The value of clothing and footwear transactions fell by 5.2 percent to SR864.15 million, while construction and building materials recorded a small 0.9 percent decline, totaling SR355 million.
The electronics and electric devices sector saw an 8.7 percent weekly decrease in value, while gas stations and health-related sales also experienced declines of 9.4 percent and 7.3 percent, respectively.
Jewelry sales recorded a 14.4 percent drop in transaction volumes, with a slight 3.9 percent decrease in value. Miscellaneous goods and services saw a 9.1 percent reduction in sales, totaling SR1.4 billion.
Regional breakdown
Regionally, Riyadh remained the largest market with a POS value of SR4.2 billion, although this represented a 6 percent decrease compared to the previous week.
Jeddah saw a 7.5 percent drop to SR1.6 billion, while Dammam recorded a slight 3.6 percent decline to SR617.5 million.
Among smaller cities, Hail experienced the largest decrease, with spending down 14.8 percent to SR169.6 million, and a 12.2 percent reduction in transaction volumes. Makkah recorded a 4.4 percent decline in value, settling at SR502.8 million, while Tabuk saw a 12.8 percent decrease in transaction value to SR210.4 million.
Despite the seasonal slowdown, the food and beverage sectors continue to drive the market, maintaining a steady pace as consumer behavior shifts with the winter season.
Saudi Arabia leverages project management to achieve Vision 2030 milestones
RIYADH: In Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of the ambitious goals set out in Vision 2030, project management has emerged as a key enabler, ensuring that planning aligns seamlessly with execution to achieve transformative outcomes.
This vital discipline is playing a crucial role in turning visionary ideas into reality, as highlighted during a prominent forum held on Tuesday.
The event emphasized the central role of project management in realizing Vision 2030, a comprehensive framework launched in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The vision aims to diversify the economy and reduce the Kingdom’s dependence on oil. Currently, over 5,000 projects, valued at $5 trillion, are underway, signaling Saudi Arabia's substantial progress in reshaping both its economic and social landscapes.
“Project management is the bridge where vision meets ambition, converting plans into tangible results,” said Badr Burshaid, chairman of the Global Project Management Forum.
He also pointed to the Kingdom's significant investment in human capital, particularly through initiatives such as the Human Capability Development Program, which has placed Saudi Arabia among the top 10 nations globally in equipping professionals with essential business skills.
The forum highlighted the importance of strategic execution in driving economic transformation.
Badr Al-Dulami, deputy minister of transport and logistics services for roads affairs, described project management as the “pulse of transformation,” underscoring its role in fostering competitiveness and innovation.
“This summit is not just an event but a platform for uniting expertise and driving collaboration,” Al-Dulami said.
During the forum, excellence awards were presented to pioneering projects that exemplify Vision 2030’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and impactful outcomes.
Al-Dulami noted that these awards serve as an invitation to explore new horizons of creativity while staying aligned with national objectives.
Saudi Arabia’s success under Vision 2030 is evident across several key sectors. With 87 percent of initiatives either completed or on track, the Kingdom has made significant strides in improving its business environment, generating employment, and advancing major projects like NEOM and the Red Sea Project.
These achievements not only demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s strategic capabilities but also highlight its leadership in executing large-scale initiatives.
In closing, Burshaid urged participants to harness the insights and momentum gained from the forum to ensure continued progress.
“The seeds planted today will grow into achievements that inspire future generations,” he said, encouraging stakeholders to prioritize innovation and collaboration as Saudi Arabia moves forward.
With project management at the heart of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is setting a global benchmark for strategic execution and sustainable development, solidifying its role as a leader in transformative growth.
