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China is pursuing arrangements with allied central banks to store foreign sovereign gold within its territory, aiming to elevate its influence over global bullion holdings. The People’s Bank of China is deploying the Shanghai Gold Exchange as a vehicle to attract sovereign clients to park bullion inside China. At least one Southeast Asian country has expressed interest.

Officials involved say that the proposal involves central banks of “friendly” states buying gold and placing it in warehouses tied to the Shanghai Gold Exchange. This builds on China’s strategy of diversifying reserves and enhancing its status in global bullion markets.

China’s own gold holdings are growing steadily. As of July, its official international reserves included approximately 73.96 million ounces of gold, up from 73.9 million the month before. That marks nine months of continuous growth. At that point gold accounted for about 7% of China’s foreign reserves—well below the global average of around 15%. Analysts said China is likely to continue buying gold while moderately reducing holdings of US Treasuries, both to strengthen the renminbi’s international standing and mitigate exposure to dollar-linked risks.

Gold-buying by China fits into a larger global trend among central banks. Many are raising their allocation to gold as a hedge against geopolitical risks, inflation, and the uncertainty of reliance on major foreign currencies. Market watchers note that China’s moves are consistent with efforts from BRICS countries to build financial infrastructure and reserve mechanisms less dependent on dollar-centred systems.

For China, becoming a custodian for others’ gold reserves would represent a significant shift. It would mean not only controlling its own gold supply but also offering vaulting, storage, and custodial services to foreign sovereign clients. Such an arrangement would involve regulatory, security, and diplomatic considerations—from ensuring physical security of bullion to managing compliance with international rules around audits, transparency, and cross-border transfers.

Questions remain about how much demand exists among sovereigns for such an arrangement. The identity of the Southeast Asian country showing interest has not been confirmed. Some central banks prefer keeping reserves offshore for perceived neutrality or diversification of geographic risk. Others may hesitate due to concerns over sovereignty, geopolitical leverage, or storage fees and logistics.

China’s global gold purchases continue regardless. Observers point to continued accumulation of gold by the People’s Bank of China, a trend seen in the State Administration of Foreign Exchange data. Gold holdings have increased month after month, even as foreign exchange reserves fluctuate.

Aldar Properties has increased its ownership stake in Aldar Estates to 82.55%, acquiring the 17.45% indirect share held by Modon Holding via its wholly-owned subsidiary ADNEC Group. The move solidifies Aldar’s dominance over the region’s largest integrated real-estate service platform.

Aldar Estates, formed through a merger of Aldar, IHC, and ADNEC’s property and facilities management businesses, has seen strong growth since its establishment in 2023. Aldar now holds outright control following the ADNEC-Modon exit.

Under Aldar’s direction, the platform manages roughly 155,000 residential units, and has almost doubled its prime retail and commercial leasable space to two million square metres. Contracts under management are now said to exceed AED 3 billion. These figures reflect ambitious expansion in recurring-income services.

Financially, Aldar Estates delivered revenues of about AED 2.6 billion in 2024, with EBITDA near AED 400 million, forming a growing part of Aldar’s overall strategy to emphasise stable income-streams outside pure property development. Aldar Investment oversees a broader AED 47 billion portfolio of income-generating assets.

Aldar’s Chief Executive of Aldar Investment, Jassem Salah Busaibe, said that the business is well positioned for further scale-up given increasing demand in property, facilities, and community services, along with a rising base of third-party clients. Gordons in landscaping, technical services, security, sustainability consulting and community management have been among the areas where Aldar Estates has expanded its offering.

By Dr. Gyan Pathak Ban order on caste based political rallies issued by the Uttar Pradesh government on September 21, 2025 has significantly raised the political heat in the state, since it is likely to impact all political parties and political alliances,.. Nevertheless, the BJP led government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has opted for […]

The article Ban On Caste Based Political Rallies Raises Political Heat In Uttar Pradesh appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

China’s goods exports expanded by 4.4% year-on-year in August, the slowest growth in six months, as shipments to the United States plunged more than 33%, weighed down by steep tariffs. Customs data showed imports rising just 1.3%, leading to a trade surplus of approximately US$102.3 billion for the month. China has now posted a goods surplus of more than US$785 billion through the first eight months of the year.

Exporters are offsetting the loss of U. S. demand by shifting focus to markets in Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe. Shipments to Southeast Asian nations rose 22.5%, while exports to Africa are on track for an annual peak, demonstrating that China’s firms are diversifying sales away from U. S. consumers.

India has emerged as a critical destination. August saw Chinese sales to India hit record highs, with strong volumes in electronics playing a central role. Firms assembling smartphones and components have increasingly used export routes into India, capitalising on shifting supply-chains that seek to avoid punitive duties in U. S. trade policy.

The gains elsewhere have only partially compensated for losses in the U. S. Bilateral shipments to America fell by about 33% in August compared to the same month last year; exports to the EU, by contrast, rose about 10.4%.

Manufacturers are accepting lower profit margins to maintain volume. Domestic industrial profits have declined in recent months as overcapacity forces price-cutting for export orders. Meanwhile, home consumption remains weak, undercut by a property sector in distress, tight credit for consumers, and muted wage growth.

Trade policy experts warn the durability of this export pivot depends heavily on external stability. Many countries receiving surging shipments from China are contemplating anti-dumping investigations; India, for example, has reportedly registered dozens of petitions addressing low-cost imports from China and Vietnam. Indonesia has raised concern over ultra-cheap clothing items appearing in its large urban markets.

Binghatti Holding Limited has appointed a slate of banks to lead its first USD Reg S senior unsecured three-year green sukuk under its $1.5 billion Trust Certificate Issuance Programme. The developer, rated Ba3 by Moody’s and BB- by Fitch with both outlooks stable, has kick-started global investor calls and fixed income meetings. The mandate names Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD Capital, JP Morgan and Mashreq as Joint Global Coordinators; Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Ajman Bank, Arqaam Capital, Crédit Agricole CIB, First Abu Dhabi Bank, RAKBANK, Sharjah Islamic Bank and Warba Bank will act as Joint Lead Managers and Joint Bookrunners.

The green structuring is overseen solely by Mashreq, with DNV, based in Oslo, providing the Second Party Opinion on Binghatti’s Green Financing Framework. The issuance will make use of Binghatti Sukuk 2 SPC Limited under its wider Trust Certificate Issuance Programme.

Binghatti’s credit profile strengthened earlier this year when Moody’s assigned it its first ever corporate family rating of Ba3 with a stable outlook, citing its strong market position in Dubai’s luxury real estate sector, a vertically integrated model, low leverage, strong liquidity and disciplined cost controls. Shortly after, Fitch upgraded its long-term issuer default rating to BB- from B+, also citing its resilient growth, liquidity position and ability to self-fund projects through internal cash flows.

The developer’s previous sukuk issued under the same Programme—a five-year senior unsecured benchmark in August—was priced at a profit rate of 8.125%. That issuance attracted over USD 2.5 billion of orders, making it oversubscribed about five times and confirming significant demand from global and regional investors. That sukuk was dual listed on the London Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Dubai.

More than 180 UAE government Chief AI Officers gathered in Washington under the aegis of the US-UAE Business Council to build partnerships with US tech firms and experts, intensifying the country’s drive in AI governance and cybersecurity. The event leveraged sessions with global business leaders and government officials to share expertise in advanced technology, highlighting the AI Chief Executives Model as a catalyst for digital governance reforms.

Engineer Mohamed bin Taliah, Chief of Government Services, underscored that AI adoption across UAE government remains a top priority, anchored in strategic goals to elevate digital governance globally. He asserted that engaging directly with leading technology companies offers vital exposure to best practices, and that empowering local talent via high-level training is essential to establishing an innovative and “smarter” digital future.

Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, heading the Cybersecurity Council for the UAE Government, flagged an increase in complexity and frequency of cyber threats, saying that international cooperation is now non-negotiable. He described protection of critical infrastructure, data privacy, and AI-driven defence as areas requiring urgent collaboration, emphasising building resilience through national expertise and shared knowledge.

Dr Abdulrahman Al Mahmoud of the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office explained that the purpose of the visit is to position the UAE as a global node for innovation. He said the delegation’s exchanges aim at unlocking joint innovation opportunities, shaping practical AI solutions, and reinforcing the UAE’s digital transformation strategy.

Participants included leaders from SmartCohort, Dell Technologies, PwC, and organisations like Cisco, Google, IBM, Oracle, Applied AI, Akamai, Core42 and Cloudflare, among others.

By Nantoo Banerjee Few will disagree that India should keep investing substantially in both onshore and offshore oil search as the country is becoming increasingly dependent on the import of petroleum crude to meet its energy needs. Currently, almost 86 percent of India’s annual crude petroleum needs are being met through imports. During his recent […]

The article Higher GST Will Hurt Oil-Starved India’s Exploration Drills appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on IPA Newspack.

Ottawa has rejected about 80% of visa applications from Indian students this year, marking the highest refusal rate in over a decade, according to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and other analyses. The drop in approvals reflects sweeping policy changes by Canadian authorities, including increased financial requirements and tighter scrutiny of student credentials.

IRCC numbers show that during January to April, only 43% of study permit applications were approved overall. In contrast, work permit applications saw about a 69% approval rate in the same period.

Indian applicants have borne the brunt of this shift. BorderPass data cited by multiple outlets reports that in the second quarter alone, four out of five Indian student permit applications were refused. Canada has also raised the proof-of-funds requirement: as of September 1, international students must now show CA$22,895 in financial backing.

Educators and students are reacting to this change as more than procedural. The 2025 cap on study permits stands at 437,000—roughly 10% below the 2024 level. Countries such as Germany are emerging as preferred alternatives: surveys and reports indicate its share of Indian student interest has climbed to about 31%, overtaking Canada. Canada’s popularity among Indian applicants has reportedly fallen from 18% in 2022 to 9% in 2024.

Officials justify the stricter stance by pointing to domestic strains. Housing shortages, stretched infrastructure, political pressure to prioritise local talent, and concerns about fraudulent college admissions have all been cited. IRCC and immigration experts say increasing financial thresholds, more detailed study plans and higher language standards are among the new hurdles for applicants.

The effects are being felt sharply. Indian students, many of whom viewed study in Canada as a pathway to permanent residence, are reassessing options. Families facing sunk costs in application fees, language tests, travel, and preparations are now especially vulnerable. Educational institutions that depend on international tuition are also under pressure. Smaller colleges in particular fear that fewer foreign students will hurt viability.