#International Monetary Fund

Russia calls on BRICS partners to create alternative to IMF

Russia calls on BRICS partners to create alternative to IMF

The only financial institution the BRICS countries have established so far is the New Development Bank, created to finance sustainable development projects

Saudi Arabia’s real GDP shrinks by 0.3% in Q2 2024, oil weighs

Saudi Arabia’s real GDP shrinks by 0.3% in Q2 2024, oil weighs

The kingdom’s seasonally adjusted real GDP grew by 1.4 per cent compared to Q1 2024, as non-oil activities rose by 4.9 per cent YoY

Egypt’s central bank leaves overnight interest rates steady

Egypt’s central bank leaves overnight interest rates steady

The central bank said that the lending rate remained at 28.25 per cent, while the deposit rate stood at 27.25 per cent

Egypt’s net foreign assets positive for third straight month in July

Egypt’s net foreign assets positive for third straight month in July

The North African country has been using its net foreign assets to help prop up its currency since at least September 2021

Central Bank of Egypt expands lending to government

Egypt central bank expands lending to government, but inflation slows

Economists say central bank lending risks undermining the economy by expanding the money supply and fuelling inflation

Egypt eyes shift from commodity subsidies to cash payments by July 2025, PM says

Egypt eyes shift from commodity subsidies to cash payments by July 2025, PM says

Over 60 million people have access to discounted prices on staples such as pasta, vegetable oil and sugar through state-run outlets

Egypt

IMF softens some conditions on Egypt’s $8bn finance package

The latest review, approved in late July but released only on Monday, was Egypt’s third and followed the expansion of the package size in March

Egypt’s foreign debt drops $7.4bn in Q1 2024

Egypt’s foreign debt drops $7.4bn in first quarter

The country’s finances were boosted in February when it sold the development rights to Ras El-Hekma to the UAE for $35bn

Egypt net foreign assets slid to $13.05bn at end-June

Egypt’s net foreign assets positive for second month in June

The North African country has been using its net foreign assets to help prop up its currency since at least September 2021

Saudi Arabia’s budget deficit tops $4bn in second quarter

Saudi Arabia’s budget deficit tops $4bn in second quarter

The kingdom’s total public debt stood at SAR1.149tn at the end of June, up from SAR1.05tn at the end of last year

IMF approves release of $820m for Egypt

IMF approves release of $820m for Egypt, calls for more reforms

The government raised domestic fuel prices by up to 15 per cent ahead of the IMF review, which had been postponed from July 10

Suez Canal

Suez Canal revenue drops as some shipping firms shun Red Sea

The Suez Canal, is a key source of foreign currency for Egypt, and authorities have been trying to boost its revenues in recent years

Egypt

World Bank announces $700m in financing for Egypt

The World Bank projects that the support programme will create jobs, strengthen the economy, and enhance Egypt’s resilience to environmental and economic challenges

Egypt’s central bank keeps key interest rates unchanged

Egypt’s central bank keeps key interest rates unchanged

The monetary policy committee left the lending rate unchanged at 28.25 per cent and the deposit rate at 27.25 per cent

Pakistan

IMF approves $1.1bn funding tranche to help Pakistan’s economy

The $350bn economy faces a chronic balance of payments crisis, with nearly $24bn to repay in debt and interest over the next fiscal year

Egypt’s central bank committed to a flexible exchange rate

Egypt committed to flexible exchange rate, central bank deputy says

Egypt allowed its currency to weaken sharply on March 6 after keeping it fixed to the dollar for nearly a year

Egypt’s finance minister says cutting inflation is priority

Egypt’s finance minister says cutting inflation is priority

Inflation dipped to 33.3 per cent in March from a record 38.0 per cent in September

Egypt gets EUR7.4bn aid package from the EU

Egypt secures EUR7.4bn aid package from the EU

The funding program will prioritise economic stability, investments and trade as well as migration and security

Egypt sees progress on loan program

IMF sees progress on Egypt loan program amid Gaza pressures

IMF spokesperson told a regular news briefing that IMF staff and Egyptian authorities agreed on the main elements of program changes

Egypt raises minimum wage by 50% as part of ‘urgent’ package

Egypt raises minimum wage by 50% as part of ‘urgent’ package

The Egyptian pound, fixed at EGP30.85 to the dollar since March, traded on the black market earlier this month as low as EGP71 to the dollar

IMF

IMF chief demands end to ‘business as usual’ ahead of COP28

The IMF was working with seven countries on debt restructurings, while a couple more would need help to reduce their debt burden

Qatar growth ‘normalising’ after World Cup boom — IMF

Economic expansion in Qatar is starting to normalise after the 2022 World Cup, according to a team from the International Monetary Fund.

Fitch Ratings cuts Egypt’s credit score one step to B-

Fitch downgrades Egypt one notch deeper into junk territory

The country’s debt problems have come amid a bruising economic crisis that has triggered a string of currency devaluations and record inflation

UAE to allocate $200m to support low-income countries Image courtesy WAM

UAE allocates $200m to support low-income countries, reduce poverty

The announcement was made during the International Monetary and Financial Committee Meeting, organised on the sidelines of the WBG-IMF Annual Meetings In Morocco

IMF

Israel-Hamas conflict is ‘new cloud’ darkening economic outlook: IMF chief

The IMF and the World Bank, which are holding their annual annual meet in Morocco said the ongoing violence in Israel threatened to darken the already tepid global economic outlook

IMF on Saudi Arabia economy

IMF cuts Saudi Arabia’s growth forecast for 2023

It has gradually lowered its overall growth forecasts for Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, over the course of this year

China'es economy enters a delation period

China slides into deflation as consumer, producer prices decline

A prolonged property market slump, plunging demand for exports and subdued consumer spending are weighing on the economy’s recovery

stocks

Saudi stocks are performing well helping EM fund managers beat peers

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme to transform the kingdom is a key support to the Saudi stock market

UAE traffic fine

UAE government revenue at $31bn in Q1 2023

The World Bank projects the UAE’s non-oil sector is expected to achieve strong growth by the end of 2023 driven by robust domestic demand

Saudi Arabia Tunisia loan deal 3-SPA

Tunisia gets surprise $500m from Saudi Arabia amid IMF delay

The money comes at a sensitive time for Tunisia, which risks defaulting on its debt unless it wins a bailout from the IMF