At the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham Egypt) Investment Conference on April 29, a session titled “Advancing Healthcare: Policy Reforms and Investment Strategies” brought together industry leaders and policymakers to examine Egypt’s evolving healthcare landscape. The discussion focused on the sector’s transformation, driven by demographic changes, policy reforms, and increasing investor interest. Bottlenecks in the system Magdi Bakr, Senior Chairman Advisor for Technical Affairs at the Egypt Healthcare Authority, opened the session by highlighting the dual role of health as both a public service and an economic catalyst. “Health is an investment and is actually a driver for…
Author: Rana Salem
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its global real gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast to 2.8% for 2025 and 3% for 2026 in its April World Economic Outlook (WEO), a sharp downgrade from the January projections of 3.3% for both years. The move reflects growing global volatility, escalating trade tensions, and a sharp pivot in international economic policy frameworks. The report attributes the downward revision to newly devised tariff rates and what it calls a “highly unpredictable” policy environment that is reshaping trade flows and investor sentiment worldwide. Global economy at a critical juncture “Intensifying downside risks dominate…
As global trade undergoes a dramatic transformation, Egypt finds itself at a pivotal moment—facing both fresh challenges and unexpected opportunities. With the U.S. imposing steep tariffs on Chinese goods, questions are emerging about whether countries like Egypt can step in to fill the gap. In this candid and timely conversation, we speak with Ayman Ismail, Associate Professor and Abdul Latif Jameel Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship at AUC, and Founding Director of the AUC Venture Lab. He shares his perspective on how Egypt can position itself in this shifting landscape, the hurdles that need to be addressed, and the sectors where…
Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced a fuel price increase on April 11, with rates rising between 11.8% and 14.8% across various categories. Diesel and kerosene saw the sharpest hikes, jumping from $0.26 (EGP 13.5) to EGP 15.5 per liter, marking the highest increase among all fuel types. Other fuel products also experienced price adjustments, with 80-Octane petrol rising from EGP 14.50 to EGP 15.75, while 92-Octane petrol increased from EGP 15.25 to EGP 17.25. The smallest price jump was seen in 95-Octane petrol, which moved from EGP 17 to EGP 19 per liter. Mazut, a critical fuel…
As Egypt’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) convenes today, the financial community is closely monitoring the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). After a prolonged period of monetary tightening, recent signs of easing inflation have fueled speculation regarding a potential shift in policy. Market analysts anticipate that the CBE may consider an interest rate reduction, which could mark a pivotal moment in Egypt’s economic trajectory. At its last meeting on February 20, the CBE opted to keep rates unchanged, maintaining the overnight deposit rate at 27.25%, the overnight lending rate at 28.25%, and the main operation rate at 27.75%. This decision was…
The Trump administration introduced on April 2 a broad tariff policy, establishing a 10% baseline on imports from U.S. trade partners. Egypt was among the countries facing the lowest rate, with a 10% tariff applied to most product categories. Soon after the announcement, President Trump suspended tariffs for most countries for 90 days—excluding China. Chinese imports were instead hit with tariffs of up to 145%. This marks a major shift in U.S.-China trade relations; in 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries totaled $582.4 billion, according to the Executive Office of the President. However, the move opens the door for…
Following the U.S. government’s announcement of new tariffs on April 2, 2025, the global financial landscape has been thrust into a fresh wave of uncertainty. As markets react to shifting trade dynamics, investors are once again turning to precious metals in search of stability. While gold remains the go-to safe-haven asset, silver’s unique position—straddling both the precious and industrial sectors—presents a more complex investment outlook. In this piece, Business Monthly examines how silver’s market trajectory may evolve throughout 2025, as geopolitical developments intersect with rising global industrial demand. According to the latest data from CNBC’s live silver price chart, the…
Egypt has announced plans to offer stakes in several state-owned companies through the Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE) as part of a broader privatization push, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office on April 9. New offerings under the IPO program This step marks significant progress in the implementation of the government’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) program, which is central to ongoing efforts to expand private sector involvement and restore macroeconomic balance. TSFE, the Armed Forces National Service Projects Organization, and a group of specialized local and international consulting firms have signed several cooperation agreements concerning the…
On April 7, the exchange rate of the US dollar (USD) to the Egyptian pound (EGP) saw a significant jump, with the selling price reaching 51.46 EGP/USD and the buying price at 51.3 EGP/USD, according to data from the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). This marked a notable 1.6% increase, up from 50.6 EGP/USD recorded on April 3, reflecting a gain of 0.86 EGP. However, the following days saw a slight dip in the exchange rate. By April 9, the dollar’s value eased slightly, with the selling price at 51.3 EGP/USD and the buying price dipping to 51.19 EGP/USD. Impact…
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has joined forces with Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative to develop 11 airports across the country, according to a statement released on March 24. The program will begin with Hurghada International Airport, which will serve as the pilot project as it is the second-busiest airport in Egypt based on passenger numbers and air traffic. Boosting air connectivity The Egyptian government has identified the aviation sector as a critical area for expanding public-private collaborations, as part of its broader Asset Monetization Program (AMP),…