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…
Author: Rana Salem
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),…
Egypt’s economy saw a strong recovery in the second quarter of FY 2024/2025, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth reaching 4.3%, a 2% year-on-year increase, driven by ongoing government reforms focused on macroeconomic stability and effective management of public investments, according to a March 26 statement from the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation. Non-oil sector leads growth The positive growth was attributed to the government’s ongoing structural reforms aimed at ensuring macroeconomic stability. The growth of Egypt’s economy has been mainly fueled by key sectors, according to the statement. Non-oil manufacturing, tourism (particularly in restaurants and hotels),…
Egypt has taken a significant step in addressing plastic pollution by requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for plastic bags, from production through to disposal, local media reported, citing a Prime Ministerial Decree published in the Official Gazette. New law The decree enforces Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic bags, compelling producers and importers to manage their environmental impact at every stage, from creation to safe disposal. The decree requires producers and importers to register with the National Waste Management Information System, submit quarterly sales reports, and pay 37.5 EGP per kilogram of plastic bags sold to fund safe disposal. These…
Egypt is making significant strides in stabilizing its economy, but experts agree that deeper structural reforms are still essential for long-term growth. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently completed the fourth review of Egypt’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) loan program, releasing $1.2 billion, bringing the total withdrawals under the $8 billion loan to $3.207 billion. This funding is crucial in Egypt’s efforts to stabilize its economy amid global economic challenges. Jean-Michel Saliba, Head of EEMEA Economics at Bank of America, highlighted to Business Monthly the importance of the disbursement, stating, “The $1.2 billion linked to the fourth review approval will…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the disbursement of $1.2 billion to Egypt after completing the fourth review of the country’s $8 billion economic reform program, according to a statement released on March 11. This funding is aimed to support economic stability, reduce fiscal deficits, and promote sustainable growth. The IMF Executive Board has also approved the authorities’ request for an arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), with access to about $1.3 billion, the international lending agency stated. Outlook on Egypt’s growth prospects The IMF has made several recommendations to improve Egypt’s structural policies, including strengthening the…