Market News
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Coupon price no. (8), of the Egyptian Treasury Bonds 13 August 2027 Variable Return.
Tuesday 12/05/202613:49:50 PMRead moreCoupon price no. (8), of the Egyptian Treasury Bonds 13 August 2027 Variable Return.
With reference to the letter of the Ministry of Finance on 12/05/2026 regarding the Egyptian Treasury Bonds 13 August 2027 Variable Return, according to the prospectus, a quarterly coupon is due on these bonds, which is determined at the beginning of the period and is disbursed and recalculated every three months, according to the change in the average corridor rate of the central bank, since the coupon no.(8) for this bond is due on 13/08/2026, the price of the coupon is 24.7428%.
ISIN Code: EGBGR05841V1
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Ismailia Misr Poultry (ISMA.CA) Reports 3 Months Consolidated Results
Tuesday 12/05/202613:47:29 PMRead moreIsmailia Misr Poultry (ISMA.CA) Reports 3 Months Consolidated Results
Company Name : Ismailia Misr Poultry
ISIN Code : EGS02021C011
Currency : EGP
F/S Consolidated Period : From 01/01/2026 To 31/03/2026
Net Profit : 10,660,986
F/S Consolidated Period : From 01/01/2025 To 31/03/2025
Net Comparative Profit : 16,323,448
Audit Status : Reviewed
Comment : Taking into consideration the rights of the minority
Source : Ismailia Misr Poultry
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Ismailia Misr Poultry (ISMA.CA) Reports 3 Months Consolidated Results
Tuesday 12/05/202613:47:29 PMRead moreIsmailia Misr Poultry (ISMA.CA) Reports 3 Months Consolidated Results
Company Name : Ismailia Misr Poultry
ISIN Code : EGS02021C011
Currency : EGP
F/S Consolidated Period : From 01/01/2026 To 31/03/2026
Net Profit : 10,660,986
F/S Consolidated Period : From 01/01/2025 To 31/03/2025
Net Comparative Profit : 16,323,448
Audit Status : Reviewed
Comment : Taking into consideration the rights of the minority
Source : Ismailia Misr Poultry
The Financial Statements (5,931 KB) -
Ismailia Misr Poultry (ISMA.CA) Reports 3 Months Standalone Results
Tuesday 12/05/202613:45:39 PMRead moreIsmailia Misr Poultry (ISMA.CA) Reports 3 Months Standalone Results
Company Name : Ismailia Misr Poultry
ISIN Code : EGS02021C011
Currency : EGP
F/S Standalone Period : From 01/01/2026 To 31/03/2026
Net Profit : 10,660,986
F/S Standalone Period : From 01/01/2025 To 31/03/2025
Net Comparative Profit : 16,323,448
Audit Status : Reviewed
Source : Ismailia Misr Poultry
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Ismailia Misr Poultry (ISMA.CA) Reports 3 Months Standalone Results
Tuesday 12/05/202613:45:39 PMRead moreIsmailia Misr Poultry (ISMA.CA) Reports 3 Months Standalone Results
Company Name : Ismailia Misr Poultry
ISIN Code : EGS02021C011
Currency : EGP
F/S Standalone Period : From 01/01/2026 To 31/03/2026
Net Profit : 10,660,986
F/S Standalone Period : From 01/01/2025 To 31/03/2025
Net Comparative Profit : 16,323,448
Audit Status : Reviewed
Source : Ismailia Misr Poultry
The Financial Statements (6,425 KB) -
Ismailia Misr Poultry (ISMA.CA) - Board of Directors' Meeting Minutes
Tuesday 12/05/202613:41:42 PMRead moreIsmailia Misr Poultry (ISMA.CA) - Board of Directors' Meeting Minutes
Company Name : Ismailia Misr Poultry
ISIN Code : EGS02021C011
Reuters Code : ISMA.CA
Content :
The Board of Directors' meeting minutes held on 11/05/2026.
The BoD Meeting Minutes (969 KB)
The BoD Report (2,340 KB) -
Release from Tycoon Investments Holding (ANFI.CA) Concerning Company's E-mail
Tuesday 12/05/202613:36:31 PMRead moreRelease from Tycoon Investments Holding (ANFI.CA) Concerning Company's E-mail
Company Name : Tycoon Investments Holding
ISIN Code : EGS67331C016
Reuters Code : ANFI.CA
Content :
Release from the company concerning changing the company's e-mail
Release from the Company (27 KB) -
The Saudi stock market index closed lower at 11,039 points
Tuesday 12/05/202613:33:13 PMRead moreThe Saudi stock market index closed lower at 11,039 points
(SPA)-
The Saudi Stock Exchange's main index closed down 119.22 points today, settling at 11,039.23 points, with trading valued at SAR 6.6 billion.
According to the Saudi Press Agency's daily economic bulletin for the Saudi Stock Exchange, 289 million shares were traded. Shares of 57 companies rose, while shares of 203 companies declined.
The top gainers were Al-Aqar Real Estate, Misk, Al-Masar Al-Shamel, Eastern Pipes, and Petro Rabigh. The biggest losers were SASCO, Saleh Al-Rashed, OGC, ACWA Power, and Redan. The percentage changes ranged between a gain of 6.27% and a loss of 9.98%. Americana, Saudi Aramco, Eastern Pipes, Petro Rabigh, and Al Rajhi Bank were the most actively traded stocks by volume, while Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi Aramco, ACWA Power, SABIC, and Al Ahli Bank were the most actively traded by value. The Saudi parallel stock index (Nomu) closed today up by (159.48) points, reaching a level of (22794.54) points, with trading valued at (528) million Saudi riyals, and the volume of traded shares exceeded (11) million shares. -
Medinet MASR Housing (MASR.CA) - AGM Minutes (after Certification)
Tuesday 12/05/202613:32:24 PMRead moreMedinet MASR Housing (MASR.CA) - AGM Minutes (after Certification)
Company Name : Medinet MASR Housing
ISIN Code : EGS65571C019
Reuters Code : MASR.CA
Content :
AGM minutes after certification
Assembly Date : 23/04/2026
AGM Minutes (after Certification) (306 KB) -
South Korean Shares Snap Record Rally
Tuesday 12/05/202613:31:09 PMRead moreSouth Korean Shares Snap Record Rally
Trading Economics-
The benchmark KOSPI fell 2.29% to close at 7,643 on Tuesday, snapping a record-setting rally, as investors locked in profits following the recent surge toward the 8,000 mark.Losses were led by Samsung Electronics (-1.23%) and SK hynix (-1.60%), while SK Square (-4.38%), LG Energy Solution (-5.77%), Doosan Enerbility (-1.80%), Hanwha Aerospace (-2.43%), and Kia Corporation (-3.66%) also declined. Still, support remained from continued optimism over the AI-driven semiconductor boom after major Wall Street chip stocks extended gains overnight. Investors also assessed upbeat domestic growth expectations after Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said South Korea’s economy is likely to grow by more than 2% this year on strong semiconductor exports and record current account surpluses. -
China Stocks Retreat from Multi-Year Highs
Tuesday 12/05/202613:30:25 PMRead moreChina Stocks Retreat from Multi-Year Highs
Trading Economics-
The Shanghai Composite slipped 0.25% to close at 4,214 on Tuesday, while the Shenzhen Component Index fell 0.47% to 15,825, with both benchmarks retreating from multi-year highs as investors locked in profits ahead of a closely watched meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Markets are hoping the talks will at least preserve the fragile US-China trade truce. The two leaders are also expected to discuss the Iran conflict and Taiwan. President Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday evening, while the US is expected to host Xi Jinping during a reciprocal visit later this year. Notable decliners included Foxconn Industrial Internet (-2.2%), Contemporary Amperex Technology (-3.33%), Weichai Power (-2.48%), and Sungrow Power Supply (-2.91%). -
New Zealand Equities Close 1% Lower
Tuesday 12/05/202613:29:11 PMRead moreNew Zealand Equities Close 1% Lower
Trading Economics-
The NZX 50 fell 130 points, or 1.0%, to close at 13,080 on Tuesday, halting gains from the previous session and tracking a decline in US futures, Traders remained cautious ahead of New Zealand's food inflation data and manufacturing PMI, both due later this week. Investors were also awaiting US inflation data on Tuesday amid rising fuel prices, which could help guide the Fed's monetary policy decision at its upcoming meeting. Markets will also monitor plans involving US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week. Consumer staples, healthcare, financial, and communication services stocks mainly dragged the index, with the biggest laggards including A2 Milk (-4.4%), Fisher & Paykel (-2.9%), Ebos Group (-1.9%), ANZ Group (-1.8%), Contact Energy (-1.7%), Chorus (-1.7%), and Mainfreight (-0.7%).
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ASX 200 Ends 0.4% Lower
Tuesday 12/05/202613:28:13 PMRead moreASX 200 Ends 0.4% Lower
Trading Economics-
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 31 points, or 0.4%, to close at 8,671 on Tuesday, extending losses for a third session , Locally, investor confidence was dampened by the April business confidence report, which remained deeply negative despite a slight rise from March’s historic drop. Still, losses were partly cushioned by anticipation of the 2026/27 Federal Budget, expected to outline reforms, cost-of-living relief, and tax changes such as potential adjustments to negative gearing, alongside narrower deficit projections. Most sectors finished lower, led by commercial services, consumer stocks, financials, and healthcare. The big four banks fell 1.4%–2.4%, while Xero (-3.5%), REA Group (-2.7%), and Coles (-2.6%) were among notable laggards. -
RAK Ceramics posts AED760.7 million in revenue in Q1 2026
Tuesday 12/05/202613:24:41 PMRead moreRAK Ceramics posts AED760.7 million in revenue in Q1 2026
(WAM)-
RAK Ceramics PJSC reported resilient financial results for the first quarter ending 31st March 2026. The company's total revenue stood at AED760.7 million in Q1, down 2 percent from AED776.5 million in Q1 2025.
RAK Ceramics delivered a resilient first-quarter performance in 2026, supported by robust demand across the UAE and Bangladesh.
The company successfully met market demand despite ongoing regional geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and elevated logistics costs.
As a local manufacturer, RAK Ceramics benefited from its operational agility and ability to adapt quickly to changing market conditions.
By reformulating its sourcing strategy with a greater focus on locally sourced raw materials, the company was able to secure an uninterrupted supply for clients and partners across its network while effectively mitigating supply chain disruptions and absorbing market shocks.
Proactive management actions and disciplined execution ensured operational continuity, consistent product availability, and dependable service across key markets, sustaining strong customer confidence.
During this period, RAK Ceramics further reinforced its position as a reliable industry player, consistently delivering on its commitments despite a challenging operating environment.
Gross profit margin remained resilient at 39.4 percent in the first quarter, compared with 39.7 percent in the corresponding period of 2025.
Profit before tax declined 17.9 percent year-on-year to AED53 million from AED64.5 million, while net profit after tax fell 21.8 percent to AED38.2 million from AED48.9 million.
EBITDA decreased 6.1 percent to AED127.3 million, compared with AED135.6 million in the first quarter of 2025.
Abdallah Massaad, Group Chief Executive Officer of RAK Ceramics, said, "Despite a challenging quarter marked by macroeconomic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions, RAK Ceramics delivered resilient results, supported by its diversified operations and strong regional footprint. Proactive management actions and supply chain optimisation ensured product availability and reliable service across markets."
Massaad added that demand in the UAE and Saudi Arabia remained strong, supported by construction activity and increased project contributions.
He said the company’s UAE operations continued to benefit from national industrial initiatives, including the “Make it in the Emirates” programme and the country’s broader industrial ecosystem. -
DEWA net profit surges 90% in Q1 2026
Tuesday 12/05/202613:24:12 PMRead moreDEWA net profit surges 90% in Q1 2026
(WAM)-
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority PJSC (DEWA) reported record consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2026, posting revenue of AED6.45 billion, EBITDA of AED2.88 billion, operating profit of AED1.29 billion, and net profit of AED0.94 billion.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman and MD & CEO of DEWA, said the authority remains committed to innovation and sustainability in line with the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai; and His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.
Al Tayer said, “DEWA delivered an exceptional start to 2026, achieving its highest-ever first-quarter revenue, EBITDA, operating profit and net profit. Consolidated net profit for the first quarter increased by nearly 90 percent compared with the same period last year, while clean energy accounted for 18.5 percent of total power generated during the quarter.”
He added that DEWA strengthened its water infrastructure by adding 60 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) of desalination capacity, bringing total installed water desalination capacity to 555 MIGD.
Al Tayer noted that DEWA recorded standalone net profit of AED1.05 billion during the first quarter, representing a 55.8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025.
He added that DEWA distributed AED3.1 billion in dividends in April 2026 for the second half of 2025 and, subject to approvals, expects to distribute another AED3.1 billion dividend in October 2026 for the first half of 2026.
Operationally, DEWA generated a record 11.09 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity during the first quarter, marking a 5.65 percent increase year-on-year. Clean energy generation reached 2.06 TWh, accounting for 18.5 percent of total power generation.
Desalinated water production reached a record 37.57 billion imperial gallons (BIG), up 5.51 percent compared to the same period last year.
DEWA added 19,803 customer accounts during the quarter. Over the 12 months ending in the first quarter of 2026, customer accounts increased by 65,086, representing annual growth of 5.08 percent.
By the end of the first quarter, DEWA’s installed generation capacity reached 17,979 megawatts (MW), including 3,860 MW from clean energy sources, representing 21.5 percent of the energy mix.
The authority also commissioned Block A of the Hassyan Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plant, adding 60 MIGD to total water capacity. SWRO capacity now represents 23 percent of DEWA’s water production mix. DEWA expects to add a further 120 MIGD of SWRO capacity during 2026.
During the quarter, DEWA commissioned two 132kV substations and 400 substations operating at 11-6.6kV.
DEWA also expanded its EV Green Charger network to 2,223 charging points across Dubai, including stations licensed in partnership with government and private sector entities.
In line with its dividend policy, DEWA expects to pay a minimum annual dividend of AED6.2 billion during the first five years starting from October 2022. Dividends are distributed semi-annually in April and October.
DEWA held its Annual General Assembly on 2nd April, 2026, and distributed AED3.1 billion in dividends for the second half of 2025 on 20th April, 2026, based on a record date of 13th April, 2026. -
AD Ports Group signs tripartite collaboration agreement to enhance cross-border electronics trade
Tuesday 12/05/202613:23:46 PMRead moreAD Ports Group signs tripartite collaboration agreement to enhance cross-border electronics trade
(WAM)-
AD Ports Group has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Krivia Holdings Limited (KHL) and IRH Global Trading Ltd (IRHGT) to combine logistics infrastructure, digital trading capabilities, and structured trade payment solutions, accelerating cross-border electronics trade through Abu Dhabi.
The collaboration aims to support the import, export, financing, warehousing, and movement of mobile phones and electronics, while helping position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for the sector through efficiency, transparency, connectivity, and scale.
A key component of the initiative is MobyIX, a digital B2B trading platform, designed to facilitate the buying, selling, and movement of smartphones and electronics across international markets. The collaboration will explore how advanced AI and machine learning can be integrated with AD Ports Group’s logistics, warehousing, and digital trade infrastructure to support sector growth, complemented by IRHGT’s structured trade finance, liquidity solutions, and banking network to help traders scale efficiently across markets.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said, “This collaboration reflects AD Ports Group’s commitment to enabling smarter, more connected trade by integrating advanced digital capabilities with world-class logistics and industrial infrastructure. By supporting the development of an integrated platform for cross-border electronics, we are strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for trade, innovation, and investment, in line with the vision of our wise leadership in the UAE, while creating new opportunities for growth across our economic cities and wider ecosystem.”
Rishabh Jain, President, Krivia Holdings Limited, said, “We see strong potential to build a technology-enabled trading ecosystem in Abu Dhabi that addresses key gaps in warehousing, digital infrastructure, and access to working capital. By partnering with AD Ports Group and IRH Global Trading, we aim to create a scalable platform that enhances transparency, efficiency, and global connectivity for mobile and electronics traders via MobylX and TradCred.’
Ali Rashed Alrashdi, CEO of IRH, said, “This collaboration reflects IRH’s commitment to enabling trade-led growth through innovative and scalable structured trade solutions. By supporting the development of a digitally enabled platform for cross-border electronics trade, we aim to help address one of the market’s key challenges: access to efficient, short-tenure supplier’s credit. Together with AD Ports Group and Krivia Holdings Limited, we see strong potential to create a more transparent, agile, and commercially attractive ecosystem that supports traders and reinforces Abu Dhabi’s role as a global centre for trade and investment.”
The global mobile and electronics trading sector represents a significant growth opportunity, generating more than US$36 billion annually. Over a projected three-year period, the initiative could facilitate over US$12 billion in trade, support the import of approximately 64 million units into Abu Dhabi, and enable the establishment of an estimated 650 new companies within KEZAD. -
SIB rights issue attracts over AED8.3 billion
Tuesday 12/05/202613:23:21 PMRead moreSIB rights issue attracts over AED8.3 billion
(WAM)-
Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) today announced the successful completion of its AED2.59 billion rights issue, following the close of the subscription period on 8th May 2026.
Executed against an exceptionally challenging and volatile market backdrop, the transaction marks a decisive milestone for SIB, significantly strengthening its capital position and accelerating its capacity to deliver sustainable growth and long-term value creation for shareholders.
The rights issue achieved exceptional demand, with the total subscriptions exceeding AED8.3 billion, resulting in oversubscription by more than 3.2 times. The strong participation from local, regional and international investors reflects the high level of confidence in SIB’s financial strength, growth strategy and long-term outlook, despite heightened global market volatility and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties affecting international financial markets.
The transaction also underscores continued investor confidence in the resilience of the UAE economy, the strength and stability of the UAE banking sector, and the country’s position as a leading regional and international financial hub.
The Government of Sharjah, SIB’s major shareholder, subscribed in full to its proportional entitlement, reaffirming its continued support for the Bank and confidence in its future strategy. Excluding the Government’s participation, the remaining shares were significantly oversubscribed more than 4.5 times by other investors and shareholders, demonstrating broad-based demand and strong market appetite for the Bank’s shares. Foreign investors represented around 55% of the overall demand, reinforcing SIB’s growth relevance to international investors and reflecting the strength of global participation in the rights issue.
This landmark transaction is the 2nd largest rights issue over the past 20 years on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX). It underscores SIB’s ability to execute at scale and further reinforces the Bank’s position among the UAE’s leading financial institutions, with a strengthened platform to capture future opportunities across priority growth segments.
Abdulrahman Alowais, Chairman of SIB, said, “We sincerely thank our shareholders and investors for their overwhelming support and confidence in SIB through this landmark rights issue. Achieving this exceptional level of demand under the current global market environment reflects the strength of SIB’s fundamentals, the resilience of our business model and the trust investors place in our long-term strategy and disciplined execution.
He added, “The strong participation from local, regional and international investors also highlights the continued confidence in the resilience of the UAE economy and the stability of its financial and regulatory environment. The UAE continues to strengthen its position as an attractive destination for investment and sustainable economic growth. This successful capital raise further strengthens SIB’s capital base and enhances our ability to support future growth opportunities while continuing to create sustainable value for our shareholders, customers and the wider economy.”
Mohamed Abdalla, CEO of SIB, said, “The successful completion of this rights issue is a defining achievement for SIB and a strong validation of investor confidence in our performance, discipline and direction, especially in a market environment where access to capital has been highly selective. The additional capital meaningfully strengthens our ability to execute on our strategic priorities, support our customers and communities, and invest in future-ready growth, while enhancing our capacity to deliver attractive, sustainable returns over the long term. We thank our shareholders, partners and advisers for their commitment in completing this transaction, and we express our sincere appreciation to Emirates NBD Capital for its invaluable support, strategic advice and marketing insights throughout the process.” -
The main stock market index declined for the second session, with trading exceeding EGP 12 billion
Tuesday 12/05/202613:22:25 PMRead moreThe main stock market index declined for the second session, with trading exceeding EGP 12 billion
Youm7-
The Egyptian stock market indices showed mixed performance during Tuesday's trading session, the middle session of the week. The main index declined for the second consecutive session, pressured by losses in leading stocks, most notably Commercial International Bank (CIB), Talaat Moustafa Group Holding, and EFG Holding. Meanwhile, the EGX 70 and EGX 100 indices rose. Egyptian investors were net buyers, while Arab and foreign investors were net sellers. Trading volume reached EGP 12.1 billion, and market capitalization gained EGP 8 billion, closing at EGP 3.822 trillion.
The EGX 30 index declined by 0.77% to close at 54,058 points, while the EGX 30 Capped index fell by 0.42% to close at 66,226 points. The EGX 30 Total Return index also decreased by 0.77% to close at 25,102 points, and the EGX 35-LV index, which tracks low-volatility stocks, dipped by 0.08% to close at 6,031 points.
Meanwhile, the EGX 70 Equal Weight index, which tracks small and medium-sized enterprises, rose by 0.86% to close at 14,935 points, and the EGX 100 Equal Weight index climbed by 0.71% to close at 20,825 points. The Sharia index, however, dipped slightly by 0.04% to close at 5,871 points. -
Tender Results of Government Treasury Bills Worth RO 23 Million Issued
Tuesday 12/05/202613:20:47 PMRead moreTender Results of Government Treasury Bills Worth RO 23 Million Issued
(ONA)-
The total issuance of Government Treasury Bills amounted to RO 23 million. The value of the allotted Treasury bills amounted to RO 20 million, for a maturity period of 28 days. The average accepted price reached RO 99.720 for every RO 100, and the minimum accepted price arrived at RO 99.720 per RO 100. The average discount rate and the average yield reached 3.65000% and 3.66025%, respectively.
The value of the allotted Treasury bills amounted to RO 3 million, for a maturity period of 91 days. The average accepted price reached RO 99.042 for every RO 100, and the minimum accepted price arrived at RO 99.035 per RO 100. The average discount rate and the average yield reached 3.84386% and 3.88106%, respectively.
Treasury Bills are short-term highly secured financial instruments issued by the Ministry of Finance, and they provide licensed commercial banks the opportunity to invest their surplus funds. The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) acts as the Issue Manager and provides theadded advantage of ready liquidity through discounting and repurchase facilities (Repo).
It may be noted that the interest rate on the Repo operations with CBO is 4.25% while the discount rate on the Treasury Bills Discounting Facility with CBO is 4.75%.
Furthermore, Treasury Bills promote the local money market by creating a benchmark yield curve for short-term interest rates. Additionally, the Government may also resort to this instrument whenever felt necessary for financing its recurrent expenditures. -
MSX Drops 28 Points
Tuesday 12/05/202613:20:19 PMRead moreMSX Drops 28 Points
(ONA)-
Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX) "30" index closed today at 8,285.22 points, marking a decrease of 28.5 points, or 0.34%, compared to the last trading session, which closed at 8,313.76 points.
The total trading value reached RO 46,497,024, representing a drop of 25% from the previous trading session, which recorded RO 62,012,117.
According to the report issued by Muscat Stock Exchange, market capitalization went down by 0.144% from the last trading day, reaching approximately RO 38.16 billion.
Non-Omani investors recorded purchases valued at RO 5,429,000, accounting for 11.68% of total trading activity, while non-Omani sales amounted to RO 5,438,000, or 11.70%. Net non-Omani investment decreased by RO 9,000, representing a 0.02% decline.
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Oman, India Discuss Procedural and Technical Aspects of Activating Free Trade Agreement
Tuesday 12/05/202613:19:51 PMRead moreOman, India Discuss Procedural and Technical Aspects of Activating Free Trade Agreement
(ONA)-
The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of India held a series of procedural and technical meetings in New Delhi as part of ongoing efforts to activate the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
The meetings focused on strengthening economic, trade, and investment cooperation to serve mutual interests and support the growth of bilateral trade.
Discussions covered several technical and organizational aspects related to the agreement's implementation mechanisms. These included facilitating customs procedures, simplifying the movement of goods and services, enhancing trade fluidity, as well as exploring investment opportunities and industrial and logistics partnerships.
Both sides underscored the importance of expediting the completion of the necessary technical and procedural aspects for the agreement's entry into force. This will help open new horizons for economic cooperation, increase trade volume, and boost mutual investments, particularly in priority sectors such as food security, manufacturing industries, renewable energy, advanced technologies, logistics, fisheries, and agriculture.
The meetings also addressed opportunities for Omani and Indian companies to benefit from the preferential advantages the agreement will provide, including market access, tariff reductions, and greater integration of supply chains. These measures are expected to enhance the competitiveness of national products and create promising investment opportunities for the private sector in both countries.
Participants noted that Omani-Indian relations are witnessing accelerated growth across various economic and trade fields, supported by strong historical ties and a shared desire to develop a strategic partnership that keeps pace with global economic changes while promoting stability and sustainable development.
The meetings concluded with a commitment to continue technical coordination in the coming phase to complete the agreement's implementation requirements, and to enhance communication between relevant authorities and the private sector. This will ensure maximum benefit from the agreement and support Oman’s economic diversification goals as well as both countries’ future visions for economic cooperation. -
Bahrain All Share Index, Islamic Index closes higher
Tuesday 12/05/202613:18:47 PMRead moreBahrain All Share Index, Islamic Index closes higher
(BNA)-
Bahrain All Share Index has closed at 1,933.04 points, marking an increase of 3.55 points above the previous closing.
This increase was due to a rise in the communications services sector and the materials sector.
Bahrain lslamic Index has closed at 927.37 points, marking an increase of 4.49 points above the previous closing.
Results indicated that 69 equity transactions took place with a volume of 746,430 worth BD 232,833.
Investors traded mainly in the financials sector, representing 81.23% of the total value of securities traded. -
Gold Steady as Markets Weigh Developments in Middle East
Tuesday 12/05/202613:18:06 PMRead moreGold Steady as Markets Weigh Developments in Middle East
(QNA)-
Gold prices were largely steady on Tuesday, as markets weighed the developments in the Middle East conflict and interest rate expectations ahead of key US inflation data.
Spot gold was steady at $4,732.89 per ounce.
US gold futures for June delivery gained 0.3% to $4,742.40.
Spot silver was unchanged at $86.08 per ounce, platinum slid 1.6 per cent to $2,098.25, and palladium was down 1 per cent at $1,494. -
Oil Prices Rise amid Ongoing Supply Concerns
Tuesday 12/05/202613:17:42 PMRead moreOil Prices Rise amid Ongoing Supply Concerns
(QNA)-
Oil prices rose in early Asian trade on Tuesday as supply concerns persisted.
Brent crude futures climbed 30 cents, or 0.29 percent, to $104.51 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 31 cents, or 0.32 percent, to $98.38.
Both benchmarks increased nearly 2.8 percent on Monday.
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Kuwait Oil Price Rises by $3.83
Tuesday 12/05/202613:17:04 PMRead moreKuwait Oil Price Rises by $3.83
(QNA)-
Kuwaiti oil prices rose by $3.83 to reach $118.06 per barrel in Monday's trading, compared to $114.23 per barrel last Friday, according to Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC).
In global markets, Brent crude futures rose by $2.92 to $104.21 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $2.65 to $98.07 per barrel. -
Qatar CPI Rises 2.98% Year-on-Year in Q1 2026
Tuesday 12/05/202613:16:44 PMRead moreQatar CPI Rises 2.98% Year-on-Year in Q1 2026
(QNA)-
In the first quarter of 2026, Qatar's Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 110.65 points, reflecting a decline of 0.50% compared with the previous quarter (Q4 2025), while rising by 2.98% year-on-year relative to the same quarter in 2025.
The index, which measures inflation, comprises 12 main groups covering 737 goods and services. It is calculated based on the 2018 base year, using data derived from the 2017-2018 Household Income and Expenditure Survey.
Data released by the National Planning Council attributed the quarterly decline—when comparing the main components of the Consumer Price Index for Q1 2026 with Q4 2025—to decreases in the "recreation and culture" group by 8.29% and the "restaurants and hotels" group by 0.53%. In contrast, several categories recorded increases, including "miscellaneous goods and services" by 3.35%, "food and beverages" by 2.06%, "clothing and footwear" by 1.28%, "transport" by 0.75%, "communications" by 0.42%, “health” by 0.27%, "furniture, household equipment, and routine household maintenance" by 0.19%, "housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels" by 0.11%, and "education" by 0.04%, while the "tobacco" category remained unchanged during the period.
The annual increase—comparing the first quarter of 2026 with the corresponding quarter of 2025—was driven by rises in eight groups. These include "miscellaneous goods and services" by 17.03%, "recreation and culture" by 5.40%, "food and beverages" by 4.57%, "clothing and footwear" by 4.19%, "furniture, household equipment, and routine household maintenance" by 2.46%, "education" by 2.06%, "communications" by 2.03%, and "housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels" by 1.23%.
In contrast, the index recorded declines in the "restaurants and hotels" group by 1.98%, "health" by 1.38%, and "transport" by 0.68%, while the "tobacco" category showed no change. -
Oman Oil Price Rises
Tuesday 12/05/202613:16:16 PMRead moreOman Oil Price Rises
(QNA)-
The official price of Oman crude oil for July delivery reached USD 104.74 per barrel on Tuesday.
This represents an increase of USD 3.74 compared to Monday's price of USD 101 pb.
The monthly average price for Oman crude oil for May delivery stood at USD 124.05 pb, marking a rise of USD 55.90 from the April delivery price -
Qatar Chamber Discusses Enhancing Trade Cooperation With Turkish Delegation
Tuesday 12/05/202613:15:50 PMRead moreQatar Chamber Discusses Enhancing Trade Cooperation With Turkish Delegation
(QNA)-
Qatar Chamber expressed its readiness to provide support to Turkish investors who wish to invest in Qatar, as well as to discuss trade and economic relations between the two countries and ways to develop them.
This came during a meeting held by First Vice Chairman of Qatar Chamber, Mohamed bin Twar Al Kuwari, with a Turkish trade delegation headed by Chairperson of the Turkiye-Qatar Business Council of the Foreign Economic Relations of Turkiye (DEIK), Abdullah Altunkum.
The meeting addressed trade and economic relations between Qatar and Turkiye, as well as opportunities for cooperation and partnership between the business communities of both countries.
In this context, Al Kuwari said that Qatar and Turkiye enjoy close cooperation across various fields, commending the strong relations between the Qatari and Turkish private sectors and the joint projects and investments in both countries.
He noted the possibility of organizing a Qatari business delegation visit to Turkiye to explore available investment opportunities and meet with Turkish counterparts to discuss cooperation in various sectors, affirming Qatar Chamber's readiness to support Turkish investors interested in investing in Qatar.
In turn, Altunkum said he headed a Turkish trade delegation seeking to explore the Qatari market and cooperate with the Qatari side in sectors including energy, renewable energy, gas, transport, logistics, and trade.
He also invited Qatari businesspersons to invest in Turkiye and establish partnerships with Turkish investors in Turkiye, Qatar, or other countries, noting the possibility of forming a joint investment group of investors from both sides to explore such opportunities. -
Japan's Nikkei Ends Higher as AI-Related Shares Rise
Tuesday 12/05/202613:15:26 PMRead moreJapan's Nikkei Ends Higher as AI-Related Shares Rise
(QNA)-
Japan's Nikkei share average ended higher after choppy trade on Tuesday, as investors bought shares that would benefit from growth in artificial intelligence.
The Nikkei rose 0.52 percent to 62,742.57, after briefly entering negative territory. The broader Topix climbed 0.83 percent to 3,872.9.
Tokyo Electron gave up early losses to end 0.14 percent higher, while Advantest, which fell as much 1.5 percent, recovered most of its loss to edge 0.26 percent lower.
Furukawa Electric jumped 16 percent after the fiber optic cable maker announced a stock split. Its peer Fujikura jumped 11.6 percent. They became top percentage gainers on the Nikkei.
Ibiden jumped 5.7 percent after the maker of smartphone components raised its annual sales and profit forecasts. Technology investor SoftBank Group rose 4.25 percent. Trading houses Mitsubishi Corp and Mitsui & Co rose 4.72 percent and 3.88 percent, respectively.
In contrast, Uniqlo brand owner Fast Retailing fell 3.77 percent, weighing the most on the Nikkei.
Of the more than 1,600 stocks trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's prime market, 42 percent rose, 53 percent fell, and 3 percent traded flat. -
Kuwait Bourse Closes Lower
Tuesday 12/05/202613:14:59 PMRead moreKuwait Bourse Closes Lower
(QNA)-
Kuwait Bourse closed trading on Tuesday as the All Share Index lost 39.25 points to reach 8,784.28 points, a decrease of 0.44 percent.
As many as 366.1 million shares valued at KWD 97 million (roughly USD 317.3 million) were traded via 25,274 transactions.
The Main Market Index went up by 39.82 points to reach 8,631.97 points, up by 0.46 percent, through 192 million shares done via 11,467 transactions valued at KWD 30.2 million (roughly USD 98.7 million).
The Premier Market Index lost 58.10 points to reach 9,272.53 points, down by 0.62 percent, through 174.1 million shares done via 13,807 transactions valued at KWD 66.7 million (roughly USD 218.1 million).
Meanwhile, the Bourse Main 50 Index gained 53.16 points to reach 9,605.26 points, up by 0.56 percent, through stock volume of 159.6 million shares done in 8,994 deals at a value of KWD 25.2 million (roughly USD 82.4 million). -
QatarEnergy Signs Syria Offshore Exploration Agreement with TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips
Tuesday 12/05/202613:14:35 PMRead moreQatarEnergy Signs Syria Offshore Exploration Agreement with TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips
(QNA)-
QatarEnergy has signed a memorandum of understanding with TotalEnergies, ConocoPhillips and the Syrian Petroleum Company to cooperate on oil and gas exploration offshore the Syrian Arab Republic.
The agreement provides for a joint technical review by the partners to assess the hydrocarbon potential of Block 3, located offshore Syria, and establishes a framework for further technical and commercial discussions between the parties.
The signing ceremony took place at QatarEnergy's headquarters and was witnessed by HE Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, alongside senior executives from QatarEnergy, TotalEnergies, ConocoPhillips and the Syrian Petroleum Company.
Commenting on the agreement, Al Kaabi said the deal reflected "QatarEnergy's continued international growth strategy and its efforts to explore upstream oil and gas business development opportunities in the region and globally".
He added: "We are pleased to partner with the Syrian Petroleum Company to explore potential opportunities that can support growth and prosperity for the people of the Syrian Arab Republic. We look forward to working closely with our international partners, TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips, as well as other relevant stakeholders to assess this opportunity."
Block 3 is located in the Levantine Basin in the eastern Mediterranean, offshore the Syrian city of Latakia. The block spans waters with depths ranging between 100 and 1,700 meters.
The agreement marks another step in QatarEnergy's expanding international upstream portfolio as the company continues to pursue exploration and production opportunities across global energy markets. -
QSE Index Closes Lower
Tuesday 12/05/202613:14:04 PMRead moreQSE Index Closes Lower
(QNA)-
The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) index closed Tuesday's trading session down by 107.33 points, or 1.01 percent, to settle at 10,523.92 points.
A total of 145,080,812 shares were traded during the session, with a total value of QAR 416,300,972.650 through 22,581آ transactions across all sectors.
The shares of nine companies advanced, while those of 38 other companies declined, with the shares of six companies remaining unchanged.
Market capitalization at the close of trading stood at QAR 628,767,199,889.196 compared to QAR 634,982,255,239.222 in the previous session. -
CIB REPORTS FIRST-QUARTER 2026 CONSOLIDATED REVENUE OF EGP 31.2 BILLION AND NET INCOME OF EGP 17.8 BILLION
Tuesday 12/05/202613:05:03 PMRead moreCIB REPORTS FIRST-QUARTER 2026 CONSOLIDATED REVENUE OF EGP 31.2 BILLION AND NET INCOME OF EGP 17.8 BILLION
CAIRO - Commercial International Bank (EGX: COMI) today reported firstquarter 2026 consolidated net income of EGP 17.8 billion, or EGP 4.65 per share,
up by 7% from first-quarter 2025.
CIB delivered resilient financial performance in the first quarter of 2026, despite a
challenging and increasingly-uncertain global backdrop. As regional uncertainty
intensified with the prolongation of the US-Iran War, an upward flight in global
inflation sparked, bringing all monetary easing plans across the globe to a halt. That
inevitably transmitted to the Egyptian Economy, with the Central Bank of Egypt
(CBE) putting-on-hold the anticipated series of policy-rate cuts that it started last
year, clearly prioritizing controlling inflation. In parallel, the Egyptian Pound
witnessed a net depreciation against the US Dollar by EGP 6.9 during the quarter,
as partly impacted by the strengthening of the US Dollar against other currencies,
and in a testament to the genuine flexibility and shock-absorbing nature of the
current exchange rate system in place. In the thick of these dynamics, S&P
maintained Egypt’s sovereign rating at “B”, while still affirming a “Stable” Outlook
for the Egyptian Economy.
Against the previous backdrop, CIB upheld healthy top- and bottom-line growth
in the first quarter of 2026, with bottom line recording EGP 17.8 billion, growing
by 7% from last year, and with top line recording EGP 31.2 billion, growing by
15%. This was largely backed by robust balance sheet growth, in both local and
foreign currencies, while simultaneously upholding margins at 8.88% which came
slightly down by 24 basis points (bps) from last year, against the steep local policyrate cuts by 825bps through the period. The latter comes in a further testament to
the resilient balance sheet structure held by CIB, with special regard to the focus
placed by Management on maintaining a healthy share of Current Accounts and
Saving Accounts (CASA) to Total Deposits, which increased from 56% last year to
62% this year, hence further backing margins and spreads against the decreasing
interest-rate environment. This fed into a healthy Return on Average Equity
(ROAE) of 31.9%, which materialized while simultaneously upholding a
comfortable Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 26.9%, and with a Common Equity
Tier I (CET1) Capital Ratio of 22.5%, primarily cemented by strong profitability
for the quarter which came in sufficient to accommodate for the pulling-down
impact of macroeconomic dynamics.
Balance sheet growth came robust across all commercial activity lines. On the local
currency front, deposits grew by a decent 5% or EGP 33 billion from 2025 YearEnd, and local currency loans -including securitization deals- grew by an impressive
7% or EGP 32 billion, bringing the local currency loan-to-deposit ratio to an alltime-high of 72%. On the foreign currency side, deposits grew by 2% or USD 172
million, while loans grew at a faster pace by 8% or USD 228 million, bringing the
foreign currency loan-to-deposit ratio to 34%, up from 32% by 2025 Year-End, in
line with the strategic direction by Management to gradually reap the low-hangingfruits of profitable foreign currency lending. Loan growth in the quarter came
primarily backed by Institutional Banking Loans, which grew by 8% or EGP 41
billion, in real terms upon excluding the EGP Devaluation impact, inclusive of
EGP 27 billion growth in CAPEX lending.
-
Raya Customer Experience Reports Q1 2026 Results
Tuesday 12/05/202613:04:00 PMRead moreRaya Customer Experience Reports Q1 2026 Results
Raya Customer Experience (RACC.CA on EGX), Egypt’s leading business process outsourcing (BPO) and contact center
outsourcing (CCO) services provider, announced today its consolidated results for the quarter ended 31 March 2026,
reporting revenues of EGP 854.5 million, representing a 34.7% y-o-y increase. Gross profit reached EGP 364.8 million,
up 24.6% y-o-y, while EBITDA recorded EGP 188.9 million, reflecting a 14.5% increase compared to Q1 2025. Net profit
amounted to EGP 80.2 million in Q1 2026, marking a 22.0% y-o-y increase, with a net profit margin of 9.4%.
-
Arab African International Bank and BMW Egypt sign a strategic partnership to offer exclusive benefits to customers
Tuesday 12/05/202613:02:45 PMRead moreArab African International Bank and BMW Egypt sign a strategic partnership to offer exclusive benefits to customers
The Arab African International Bank (AAIB) announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with BMW Egypt, aimed at providing a comprehensive financing program that enables the bank's customers to purchase BMW electric and conventional vehicles, while benefiting from a range of exclusive advantages.
The agreement was signed by Dina Zakaria, Head of Retail Banking at AAIB, and Mohamed Fetyan, Head of Sales at BMW Egypt, in the presence of Tamer Wahid, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of AAIB, and Mohamed Kandil, CEO and Board Member of Global Auto Group, along with several other senior executives from both sides.
The partnership includes exclusive offers on BMW vehicles, with flexible repayment periods of up to 12 years with no administrative fees, in addition to a package of benefits including an extended 5-year warranty, 3 years of free maintenance, and dedicated services for electric vehicle customers.
This step comes as part of AAIB's strategy to expand its partnerships with leading global companies, contributing to enhancing the services and benefits offered to its customers and strengthening its position in the Egyptian banking market.The Arab African International Bank (AAIB) announced the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with BMW Egypt, aimed at providing a comprehensive financing program that enables the bank's customers to purchase BMW electric and conventional vehicles, while benefiting from a range of exclusive advantages.
The agreement was signed by Dina Zakaria, Head of Retail Banking at AAIB, and Mohamed Fetyan, Head of Sales at BMW Egypt, in the presence of Tamer Wahid, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of AAIB, and Mohamed Kandil, CEO and Board Member of Global Auto Group, along with several other senior executives from both sides.
The partnership includes exclusive offers on BMW vehicles, with flexible repayment periods of up to 12 years with no administrative fees, in addition to a package of benefits including an extended 5-year warranty, 3 years of free maintenance, and dedicated services for electric vehicle customers.
This step comes as part of AAIB's strategy to expand its partnerships with leading global companies, contributing to enhancing the services and benefits offered to its customers and strengthening its position in the Egyptian banking market. -
Eurobond yields rise 170 basis points during the first quarter of 2026:CBE
Tuesday 12/05/202613:01:57 PMRead moreEurobond yields rise 170 basis points during the first quarter of 2026:CBE
Yields on Egyptian dollar-denominated Eurobonds rose during the first quarter of 2026, reflecting a decline in risk appetite amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.
According to the Central Bank of Egypt, bond yields across various maturities rose by an average of 170 basis points, indicating a slight decrease in investor confidence despite the heightened tensions between Iran and the United States.
Foreign investment in long-term government bonds remained generally stable, with Egypt's credit default swaps (CDS) at the end of the first quarter of this year at lower levels than in the fourth quarter of 2025, reflecting investor confidence in the economy's prospects and its medium-term reform path.
-
Dana Gas and Levidian sign a memorandum of understanding to develop graphene production in the UAE through the Sharjah Graphene Complex
Tuesday 12/05/202613:01:21 PMRead moreDana Gas and Levidian sign a memorandum of understanding to develop graphene production in the UAE through the Sharjah Graphene Complex
A multi-stage platform for future graphene production in the UAE using LOOP technology.
The project supports the localization of industrial value chains, advanced manufacturing, and meeting growing industrial demand.
Dana Gas PJSC (“Dana Gas”), the leading natural gas company in the Middle East, and UK-based advanced materials company Levidian announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the “Made in the UAE” event to develop the Sharjah Graphene Park, an initiative based in the Emirate of Sharjah, UAE, to manufacture and commercialize advanced materials. The agreement was signed during the “Made in the UAE” exhibition in the presence of high-level representatives from the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Mubadala Investment Company, Sharjah Foreign Direct Investment Office (Invest in Sharjah), Sharjah Asset Management, and representatives from the UK government. The MoU builds on the existing partnership between Dana Gas and Levidian, which was first announced in January 2025. Under this partnership, Dana Gas is already utilizing a pilot unit based on Levidian’s LOOP technology within its operations. The MoU further enhances This collaboration aims to produce graphene on an industrial scale, develop markets, and eventually localize Loop systems in the Emirate of Sharjah, UAE. Levidian’s patented Loop technology uses micro-plasma to decompose methane and produce hydrogen and solid carbon in the form of high-quality graphene. This process transforms existing gas streams into economically valuable materials, unlocking new business opportunities from underutilized gas resources and supporting emissions reduction efforts. The Sharjah Graphene Complex will be developed in several phases, beginning with the initial deployment of Loop systems in Sharjah to build local production capacity. This phase targets an estimated annual graphene production capacity of approximately 15 tons. The project’s subsequent expansion into a multi-unit production complex will depend on market demand and the success of the first phase. This expansion will provide a clear pathway for local assembly, integration, and manufacturing of Loop system units within the UAE. Estimated investments for the project range from US$2 million to US$5 million in the first phase, increasing to between US$5 million and US$50 million during the expansion phase. The initial investment is expected to exceed $50 million as the project develops and meets growing market demand. The Sharjah Graphene Complex initiative aims to establish a reliable regional supply of high-quality graphene and accelerate its integration into key sectors including construction, polymers, coatings, and energy – sectors with rapidly increasing demand for this advanced material. Richard Hall, CEO of Dana Gas, said: “This agreement reflects our commitment to investing in technologies that extract long-term value from natural gas. The Sharjah Graphene Complex represents a scalable industrial opportunity, supporting the production of advanced materials and developing local manufacturing capabilities in the UAE. We see great potential in this complex to build a platform that contributes to driving industrial growth, diversifying the economy, and creating sustainable long-term value.”
The investment in the Sharjah Graphene Complex is expected to exceed $50 million as the project develops and meets market demand. Alex Holden, CEO of Levidian, said: “This memorandum of understanding charts a clear course for scaling our technology in partnership with Dana Gas. The opportunity to localize the assembly and manufacturing of Loop systems, along with graphene production, is a key step towards building long-term industrial capacity in the region. Combining local infrastructure with growing market demand will enable a reliable supply of high-quality graphene and support the adoption of this material across multiple industries.”
His Excellency Mohamed Juma Al Musharrakh, CEO of Invest Sharjah, said: “Sharjah continues to solidify its position as a hub for advanced industries and innovation-driven sectors. We are committed to supporting strategic partnerships that enable the localization of advanced technologies and foster the growth of new industrial sectors. Initiatives such as the Sharjah Graphene Park reflect the emirate’s long-term vision of attracting high-value investments and accelerating industrial diversification.” Andrew Clark, Deputy General Counsel at the UK Department for Business, Trade and Industry, said: “We are delighted to see Levidian’s continued progress in the UAE and its success in expanding its partnership with Dana Gas. We are proud to have supported Levidian, through the UK Department for Business, Trade and Industry and the Science and Technology Network, as it expands its advanced materials capabilities in the UAE market. This agreement reflects the UK’s advanced innovation capabilities and its ability to translate into industrial partnerships that support manufacturing, sustainability, and economic growth in key global markets.”
The two companies will work together to develop a scalable production platform, cultivate demand in downstream industries across value chains, and collaborate with industry partners, government entities, and R&D institutions. This will support the development of a UAE graphene ecosystem encompassing production, applications, and research and industrial partnerships. The agreement supports the “Made in the UAE” initiative and strengthens the role of advanced materials and local manufacturing in supporting industrial growth and diversifying the national economy. -
The Cabinet's Information Center addresses promising opportunities and growth drivers globally and locally in the field of tourism investment
Tuesday 12/05/202613:00:42 PMRead moreThe Cabinet's Information Center addresses promising opportunities and growth drivers globally and locally in the field of tourism investment
The Cabinet’s Information and Decision Support Center issued a new report titled “Tourism Investment: Promising Opportunities and Growth Drivers Globally and Locally.” The report highlighted that the global tourism landscape is one of the most vital sectors contributing directly to the world economy through its diverse forms and growing economic and social importance. Tourism is not limited to travel and leisure; it also plays a major role in supporting economic growth, creating jobs, and promoting sustainable development through eight main types of tourism worldwide: adventure tourism, business tourism, cultural tourism, religious tourism, space tourism, sports tourism, wildlife tourism, and medical or wellness tourism.
Key Indicators of Egypt’s Tourism Sector
Egypt’s tourism infrastructure included:
17.23 thousand tourist vehicles
3.68 thousand tourism goods shops
1.30 thousand fixed and floating hotel establishments as of December 2025.
The tourism sector contributed 3.7% to Egypt’s GDP during FY 2024/2025, the highest level in a decade.
Egypt continued to top the list of leading tourism destinations in Africa according to the “Nation Brand” ranking issued by Bloom Consulting, affiliated with the World Economic Forum, for 2024/2025.
Globally, the travel and tourism sector supported 356.6 million jobs in 2024, with projections rising to 461.6 million jobs by 2035.
The report noted that the travel and tourism sector contributed approximately USD 10.9 trillion to global GDP in 2024, representing nearly 10% of the global economy, according to the latest annual study by the World Travel & Tourism Council. This contribution is expected to rise to 11.5% of global GDP, equivalent to USD 16.5 trillion, by 2035, reflecting the sector’s increasing role as a key engine of global economic growth amid the development of tourism services and the return of traveler confidence worldwide.
In terms of employment, the sector supported around 356.6 million jobs globally in 2024, and this figure is projected to increase to 461.6 million jobs by 2035. International visitor spending also rose by 11.6% in 2024 to nearly USD 1.9 trillion compared with 2023.
Global Tourism Trends
The number of international tourist arrivals worldwide reached 1.47 billion in 2024, compared to 1.31 billion in 2023 and 975.6 million in 2022, recording growth of 12.5% in 2024 compared with 2023.
Global tourism revenues surpassed pre-COVID-19 levels in 2024, reaching approximately USD 1.735 trillion, an increase of 12.9% compared with USD 1.537 trillion in 2023.
During the period from January to June 2025, the number of international tourists reached 690 million, an increase of approximately 33 million tourists compared with the same period in 2024, according to the UN World Tourism Organization.
Foreign Direct Investment in Tourism
According to the “Tourism Investment Report 2024” issued by FDI Intelligence, part of the Financial Times group in cooperation with UN Tourism, the global tourism sector demonstrated resilience and recovery during 2019–2023, despite notable regional disparities reflecting varying investor confidence levels.
Europe accounted for 44.6% of all global tourism FDI projects during 2019–2023, totaling 867 projects out of 1,943 worldwide. The United States ranked as the largest recipient of tourism FDI with 150 projects (7.7% of the global total), followed by:
The United Kingdom: 135 projects (6.9%)
Germany: 122 projects (6.3%)
The UAE: 120 projects (6.2%)
The Middle East and Africa region recorded the strongest relative growth globally in tourism FDI projects in 2023 compared with 2019, increasing by 68.6%. North America followed with 54.5% growth, while Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America grew by 44.9%, 40.1%, and 25.5%, respectively.
Between 2019 and 2023, the Middle East and Africa region attracted 314 tourism FDI projects worth USD 18.1 billion, creating around 40.7 thousand jobs.
The UAE achieved a compound annual growth rate of 19.5% in tourism FDI projects’ share within the Middle East and Africa region during 2019–2023. During this period, the UAE attracted 120 tourism FDI projects worth around USD 4.7 billion, generating approximately 11.6 thousand jobs.
Egypt’s Tourism Performance
The report highlighted major developments in Egypt’s tourism sector between FY 2014/2015 and FY 2024/2025. Tourism’s contribution to Egypt’s GDP rose from:
2.4% in FY 2021/2022
to 3.1% in FY 2022/2023
to 3.4% in FY 2023/2024
and to 3.7% in FY 2024/2025, the highest level in ten years.
Tourism revenues experienced fluctuations over the years:
USD 3.8 billion in FY 2015/2016 due to the Russian plane crisis
Recovery to USD 12.6 billion in FY 2018/2019
Decline to USD 4.9 billion in FY 2020/2021 due to COVID-19
Strong rebound with growth of 56.1% in FY 2024/2025 compared with FY 2021/2022, reaching a record USD 16.7 billion despite the continued impact of the Russia–Ukraine war, according to Egypt’s Central Bank.
According to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism:
Tourist nights increased by 16.4% in FY 2024/2025 to 179.3 million nights compared with 154.1 million in FY 2023/2024.
Tourist arrivals rose by 20.3% in 2025 to around 19 million tourists, up from 15.8 million in 2024.
Egypt’s Tourism Infrastructure
As of December 31, 2025, Egypt possessed a broad and diverse tourism infrastructure including:
1.30 thousand hotel establishments (fixed and floating)
3.68 thousand tourism and souvenir shops
1.62 thousand tourist restaurants and cafeterias
630 diving and marine activity centers
17.23 thousand tourist vehicles
2.24 thousand tourism companies
Archaeological Discoveries and New Projects
Archaeological discoveries in Egypt increased by 101.8% in 2023, reaching 115 discoveries compared with 57 in 2022, reflecting intensified excavation efforts and growing interest in cultural heritage as a driver of economic and tourism development.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities also inaugurated or restored 38 projects in 2023, including tombs, archaeological sites, museums, mosques, churches, and temples, compared with 13 projects in 2022.
International Recognition
Egypt has gained increasing international recognition reflected in global rankings and awards:
Egypt ranked 61st out of 119 countries in the 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index issued by the World Economic Forum, improving from 66th place in 2019.
Regionally, Egypt ranked sixth in the Middle East and North Africa region.
For the third consecutive year, Egypt topped Africa’s leading tourism destinations according to the 2024/2025 Nation Brand ranking by Bloom Consulting.
Globally, Egypt jumped six places to enter the world’s top 25 nation brands in tourism.
According to the Global Review Index (GRI) by ReviewPro, visitor satisfaction with hotel services in Egypt’s tourist destinations reached 85.1% in Q1 2024, improving by 1.1% compared with the same period in 2023.
Future Outlook
Fitch Solutions projected a positive outlook for Egypt’s tourism sector in its September 2025 report:
Tourist arrivals are expected to grow by 4.5% in 2026 to 18.56 million visitors.
Between 2025 and 2029, tourist arrivals are expected to grow annually by 5.7%, reaching around 20.65 million tourists by 2029.
Tourism revenues are forecast to rise to approximately USD 19 billion by 2029.
Fitch also noted that the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum is expected to provide a major boost to tourism, as it is considered the world’s largest museum dedicated to a single civilization and is projected to attract around 5 million visitors annually.
Egypt’s Tourism Development Efforts
The report highlighted Egypt’s efforts to develop the tourism sector, including:
Upgrading tourism infrastructure
Legislative and institutional reforms
Enhancing service quality
Launching innovative tourism initiatives
Expanding digital transformation in tourism
Strengthening tourism security
Promoting sustainability and environmental balance
Major Tourism Investment Projects
Key investment-attracting tourism projects include:
Grand Egyptian Museum
Giza Pyramids development project
Revitalization of historic Cairo areas
Holy Family Trail
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
The report also pointed to innovative tourism cities designed to maximize tourism potential beyond traditional destinations, including:
El Galala
New Alamein
Ras El Hekma -
CIB – Egypt achieves EGP 17.7 billion in net profits during the first quarter of 2026
Tuesday 12/05/202612:56:03 PMRead moreCIB – Egypt achieves EGP 17.7 billion in net profits during the first quarter of 2026
Commercial International Bank – Egypt (CIB) achieved net profits of EGP 17.738 billion during the first quarter of 2026, compared to EGP 16.596 billion during the same period in 2025, representing growth of nearly 7%, according to the bank's standalone financial statements.
The standalone income statement showed an increase in net interest income to EGP 29.529 billion by the end of March 2026, compared to EGP 25.296 billion by the end of March 2025, supported by growth in loan and similar revenues to EGP 53.038 billion. Profit before income tax reached approximately EGP 25.461 billion during the first three months of this year, compared to EGP 22.699 billion in the same period last year, while income tax expenses amounted to EGP 6.305 billion.
On the financial front, the bank's total assets increased to EGP 1.561 trillion by the end of March 2026, compared to EGP 1.436 trillion at the end of December 2025. The net loan and customer facilities portfolio rose to EGP 545.903 billion by the end of March, compared to approximately EGP 503.361 billion at the end of December 2025. Customer deposits also increased to EGP 1.210 trillion, compared to EGP 1.105 trillion during the same period.
Financial investments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income reached EGP 374.989 billion, while financial investments measured at amortized cost amounted to approximately EGP 264.070 billion by the end of March 2026. Total equity reached approximately EGP 214.239 billion by the end of March 2026, compared to EGP 230.015 billion at the end of December 2025. Issued and paid-up capital stood at EGP 33.779 billion. -
Al Baraka Bank – Egypt achieves profits of EGP 1.21 billion during the first quarter of 2026
Tuesday 12/05/202612:55:23 PMRead moreAl Baraka Bank – Egypt achieves profits of EGP 1.21 billion during the first quarter of 2026
Al Baraka Bank – Egypt announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2026, revealing the sustainability of its financial indicators achieved during the period. This supports the bank's strategy of establishing a presence in the Islamic banking sector in Egypt and its ability to meet the needs of its clients.
During the first three months of the year, the bank achieved net profits after tax of EGP 816 million, while profits before tax reached EGP 1.21 billion by the end of March 2026. The bank also achieved strong profitability indicators, with a return on total assets (ROA) of approximately 2.1% and a return on total equity (ROE) of approximately 21%.
On the financial front, total assets increased by 4.5% to reach EGP 152.5 billion by the end of March 2026. Shareholders' equity stood at EGP 15.2 billion, a decrease of 3.1% compared to the end of 2025. Customer confidence in the bank witnessed significant growth, with the customer deposit portfolio reaching EGP 128.4 billion by the end of March 2026, an increase of EGP 5.7 billion, representing a growth rate of 4.6% compared to the end of the previous year.
This growth was driven by retail deposits, which increased by EGP 5.8 billion, or 7%, to reach EGP 88.7 billion, accounting for 69% of the bank's total deposits. Meanwhile, corporate deposits reached EGP 39.7 billion by the end of March 2026. This was accompanied by growth in operating income, which reached EGP 2.27 billion, thanks to a rise in net interest income to EGP 1.89 billion, a growth rate of 4.2%. Net income from fees, commissions, and other revenues increased by 1.5% to reach EGP 380 million, representing 16.8% of total operating income.
In parallel with the growth in deposits, the loan portfolio and facilities provided to customers reached EGP 79.2 billion, an increase of EGP 3.3 billion and a growth rate of 4.3% compared to the end of 2025, bringing the loan-to-deposit ratio to 61.8%.
At the corporate level, the portfolio reached EGP 60.3 billion, an increase of EGP 2.5 billion and a growth rate of 4.3%. Large corporate and syndicated loans grew by 5.7%, an increase of EGP 3 billion, reaching EGP 55.9 billion. Loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) reached EGP 4.4 billion by the end of March 2026. Regarding the retail banking sector, personal loans increased by 4.4% to reach EGP 18.9 billion. Personal loans grew by 4.2% to reach EGP 18.3 billion, while the retail credit card portfolio jumped by 10.7% to reach EGP 519 million by the end of the first quarter of 2026. Hazem Hegazy, CEO and Vice Chairman of Al Baraka Bank – Egypt, commented on these results, saying: “Our efforts during the first quarter of 2026 focused on advancing our investment plans, the fruits of which we are seeing in the development of our digital transformation plans. We are working on upgrading our core banking system in parallel with opening and developing new digital branches. We believe that the success of these investments in digital platforms and enhanced geographical reach is a fundamental pillar for enhancing operational efficiency and providing Islamic banking services that meet modern technological requirements.” -
Customer deposits at CIB – Egypt jump to EGP 1.2 trillion during the first quarter of 2026
Tuesday 12/05/202612:54:41 PMRead moreCustomer deposits at CIB – Egypt jump to EGP 1.2 trillion during the first quarter of 2026
Customer deposits at Commercial International Bank – Egypt (CIB) rose to EGP 1.210 trillion during the first quarter of 2026, compared to EGP 1.105 trillion during the same period last year. The bank's total assets also increased to EGP 1.561 trillion by the end of March 2026, compared to EGP 1.436 trillion at the end of December 2025. According to the financial statements, the net customer loan and facilities portfolio increased to EGP 545.903 billion by the end of March, compared to approximately EGP 503.361 billion at the end of December 2025. Financial investments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income rose to EGP 374.989 billion, while financial investments measured at amortized cost reached approximately EGP 264.070 billion by the end of March 2026. Total equity reached approximately EGP 214.239 billion by the end of March 2026, compared to EGP 230.015 billion at the end of December 2025. Issued and paid-up capital also saw an increase. The bank achieved net profits of EGP 17.738 billion during the first quarter of 2026, compared to EGP 16.596 billion during the same period in 2025, representing growth of nearly 7%, according to the bank's standalone financial statements.
The standalone income statement showed an increase in net interest income to EGP 29.529 billion by the end of March 2026, compared to EGP 25.296 billion by the end of March 2025, supported by growth in loan and similar revenues to EGP 53.038 billion.
Profit before income tax reached approximately EGP 25.461 billion during the first three months of this year, compared to EGP 22.699 billion in the same period last year, while income tax expenses amounted to EGP 6.305 billion. -
CIB 's assets jump to EGP 1.6 trillion by the end of March 2026
Tuesday 12/05/202612:53:57 PMRead moreCIB 's assets jump to EGP 1.6 trillion by the end of March 2026
The standalone financial statements of Commercial International Bank (CIB) revealed that the bank's assets rose to EGP 1.560 trillion by the end of the first quarter of 2026, compared to EGP 1.436 trillion at the end of December 2025. The bank achieved net profits of EGP 17.738 billion during the first quarter of 2026, compared to EGP 16.596 billion during the same period in 2025, representing growth of nearly 7%.
Profit before income tax reached approximately EGP 25.461 billion during the first three months of this year, compared to EGP 22.699 billion in the same period of the previous year, while income tax expenses amounted to EGP 6.305 billion.
According to the financial statements, the net loan and customer facilities portfolio increased to EGP 545.903 billion by the end of March, compared to approximately EGP 503.361 billion at the end of December 2025. Customer deposits also rose to EGP 1.210 trillion, compared to EGP 1.105 trillion during the same period of the previous year. -
FRA issues its first report on the performance of investment funds for the first quarter of 2026
Tuesday 12/05/202612:53:17 PMRead moreFRA issues its first report on the performance of investment funds for the first quarter of 2026
- Net assets rise to over EGP 410 billion... and individual ownership exceeds 74%
Dr. Islam Azzam, Chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority:
- Funds' performance confirms their significant role in strengthening the resilience of the Egyptian economy
- Figures reflect growing public confidence in funds as an investment option
The Financial Regulatory Authority, headed by Dr. Islam Azzam, issued its first report on the performance of investment funds operating in the Egyptian market for the first quarter of 2026. The report revealed strong growth rates, reflecting the increasing attractiveness of investment funds and the growing demand for them as one of the most important investment tools and options in the Egyptian market.
The report indicates that the net assets of investment funds rose to approximately EGP 410.6 billion by the end of March 2026, compared to EGP 316 billion by the end of December 2025. This increase was driven by the expansion in launching new funds, increasing the investor base, and diversifying the available investment products.
The report indicates that the total number of investment funds operating in the Egyptian market rose to 187 by the end of the first quarter of 2026, compared to 172 at the end of the previous year. This confirms the growth of asset management activity and the expansion of financial institutions in offering diverse investment products that suit the needs of various investor segments. This is of exceptional importance given the recent economic developments in the region and the world.
The number of investment fund units also witnessed remarkable growth, reaching 31.4 billion units by the end of March 2026, compared to 20.3 billion units at the end of December 2025. This is a clear indicator of increased investment awareness and a broader base of investors in investment funds.
The report reveals that individuals continue to hold the largest share of investment fund unit ownership at 74.34%, while corporate entities (companies and institutions) accounted for approximately 15.98%. This reflects the growing confidence of individuals in funds as safe investment vehicles subject to full oversight by the Financial Regulatory Authority.
Regarding the performance of different fund types, the report indicates that Egyptian pound money market funds lead in terms of net asset value, reaching approximately EGP 276.5 billion, followed by equity funds with net assets of EGP 56.4 billion. Precious metals funds also recorded strong growth, with net assets increasing from EGP 5.1 billion at the end of 2025 to over EGP 10 billion by the end of the first quarter of 2026, reflecting continued investor interest in precious metals-related instruments.
The report notes that several fund categories achieved competitive investment returns during the first quarter of the year. Precious metals funds recorded an average quarterly return of 20.37%, followed by index funds with a return of 7.54%, and private equity funds with a return of 7.21%. Dr. Islam Azzam stated that the positive indicators achieved by investment funds during the first quarter of 2026 confirm the remarkable resilience of the Egyptian economy despite international and regional tensions. He added that this resilience is further evidenced by the growing attractiveness of the non-banking financial sector and its ability to provide diverse and secure investment instruments that meet the needs of various investor segments.
He noted that the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) continues to develop the regulatory, supervisory, and legislative frameworks governing investment fund activities. This aims to enhance transparency and efficiency, protect investor rights, support innovation in non-banking financial products and services, and expand the use of financial technology. -
The Minister of Planning and Economic Development affirms the depth of the partnership between Egypt and the OECD to support economic reforms and enhance governance
Tuesday 12/05/202612:52:23 PMRead moreThe Minister of Planning and Economic Development affirms the depth of the partnership between Egypt and the OECD to support economic reforms and enhance governance
During the OECD Committee on External Relations Meeting
■ Minister of Planning and Economic Development Affirms the Depth of the Partnership Between Egypt and the OECD to Support Economic Reforms and Enhance Governance
■ Dr. Ahmed Rostom:
• Cooperation with the OECD is based on a shared commitment to supporting evidence-based policies and promoting institutional development.
• Planning for the “second phase” of the Country Programme will focus on governance, competitiveness, and strengthening the role of the private sector.
• International praise for the role of Egypt’s Country Programme in supporting structural reforms and establishing international best practices.
Dr. Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, participated in the OECD Committee on External Relations meeting to review areas of joint cooperation between Egypt and the organization.
During his remarks, Dr. Rostom emphasized the depth of cooperation between Egypt and the OECD, reflecting a long-standing and evolving strategic partnership built on a shared commitment to supporting evidence-based policies, enhancing institutional development, and achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The Minister of Planning and Economic Development explained that the pivotal starting point for cooperation between Egypt and the organization dates back to 2005, when Egypt became a founding partner in the organization's Middle East and North Africa initiative, thus establishing a sustainable institutional framework for dialogue and the exchange of expertise. He noted that this cooperation has witnessed continuous development, reflecting Egypt's growing engagement with the organization's standards and frameworks.
Dr. Ahmed Rostom highlighted the economic reform path adopted by Egypt since 2016, which is based on "Egypt Vision 2030" and the National Economic Reform Program, with the aim of restoring macroeconomic stability, enhancing competitiveness, and expanding the social safety net.
*Country Program Achievements and Launch of 10 Strategic Reports*
Dr. Ahmed Rostom addressed the closing conference of the Country Program, held in Cairo on May 4th, in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly and the Secretary-General of the organization. He explained that the event showcased the achievements of five years of close cooperation and the launch of 10 strategic reports prepared by the organization in priority areas, including innovation, investment, productivity, green growth, governance, and women's economic empowerment. These reports represent a significant asset that supports the policymaking process.
The Minister of Planning and Economic Development emphasized that the Country Program played a pivotal role in strengthening institutional capacities, improving coordination among government entities, and embedding the organization's standards within national policymaking mechanisms, thus ensuring the program's long-term sustainability.
Regarding monitoring mechanisms, Rostom explained that the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development developed a dedicated electronic platform to support the Country Program. This platform allows project managers in national entities to update progress rates and review various aspects of cooperation, thereby enhancing the utilization of shared themes and improving the efficiency of managing cooperation with the organization. He added that the impact of the first phase of the program extended regionally and internationally, with Egypt assuming the co-chairmanship of the OECD's Middle East and North Africa Initiative on "Governance and Competitiveness for Development" for the period 2026–2030 in May 2025, as well as the co-chairmanship of the Women's Economic Empowerment Forum. This reflects Egypt's growing role as an active partner in regional and international dialogue and policymaking.
In preparation for the second phase of the country program, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development revealed that the Ministry is leading extensive consultations with national stakeholders and the OECD to determine the priorities for the next phase. These priorities will be more focused and targeted, deepening structural reforms in the areas of competitiveness, governance, and private sector development, while also enhancing the integration of OECD standards and tools within national systems. This will support the sustainability of institutional reform and improve the efficiency of public policies.
Dr. [Name] concluded... Ahmed Rostom emphasized that the next phase of cooperation will focus on deepening structural reforms, enhancing the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy, and strengthening the capacity of state institutions to adopt more efficient and sustainable policies in accordance with international standards. This will support Egypt's development priorities and enhance the sustainability of the partnership with the organization.
The Egyptian Country Programme received widespread praise from representatives of the organization's member states, particularly those from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Switzerland, Portugal, Greece, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Attendees commended the programme's role in supporting and accelerating economic reforms, aligning them with best practices and international standards. -
Banque Misr launches three new fixed interest rates of up to 17%
Tuesday 12/05/202612:51:35 PMRead moreBanque Misr launches three new fixed interest rates of up to 17%
Banque Misr has announced the launch of three new deposit products under the name "Flex Plus Deposits," offering a fixed return of up to 17% with varying terms and payment frequencies. Automatic renewal and the ability to borrow against the deposit are also available, subject to the bank's terms and conditions. The following details the deposits, as published on the Federation of Egyptian Banks' website:
Flex Plus 6-Month Term Deposit:
This deposit is issued in Egyptian pounds and is available to individual customers only.
Deposit Term: 6 months
Minimum Amount: EGP 50,000
Return Rate: 17%
Payment Frequency: Paid at the end of the term
The deposit can be withdrawn before its term expires at any time, subject to applicable redemption rules.
Automatic renewal of the deposit is possible for further terms.
Loans can be obtained against the deposit, subject to the bank's regulations.
Flex Plus 6-Month Monthly Interest Deposit:
This deposit is issued in Egyptian pounds and is available to individual customers only.
Deposit Term: 6 months
Minimum Amount: EGP 100,000 and multiples of EGP 1,000. Fixed Return: 16.5%
Payment Frequency: Monthly
The deposit can be withdrawn before its maturity date at any time according to the applicable withdrawal rules.
The deposit can be automatically renewed for further periods.
Loans can be obtained using the deposit as collateral according to the bank's regulations.
Flex Plus Deposit with Monthly Returns for a 9-Month Term:
The deposit is issued in Egyptian Pounds to individual customers only.
Deposit Term: 9 months
Minimum Amount: EGP 100,000 and multiples of EGP 1,000
Fixed Return Rate: 16%
Payment Frequency: Monthly
The deposit can be withdrawn before its maturity date at any time according to the applicable withdrawal rules.
The deposit can be automatically renewed for further periods.
Loans can be obtained using the deposit as collateral according to the bank's regulations. -
The Chairman of the General Authority for FRA chairs the meetings of the Emerging Markets Committee of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO)
Tuesday 12/05/202612:50:53 PMRead moreThe Chairman of the General Authority for FRA chairs the meetings of the Emerging Markets Committee of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO)
Dr. Islam Azzam, Chairman of the FRA (Financial Regulatory Authority) and Chairman of the Growth and Emerging Markets Committee (GEMC) of the International Organization of Securities Commissions, stated that developing the committee’s activities in line with the needs of emerging markets contributes to strengthening investor protection. He emphasized that capacity building and knowledge exchange are essential elements in supporting the development of emerging markets, while risks related to interest rates, refinancing, financial technology, and artificial intelligence have a multiplied impact on less mature markets. He also stressed that cross-border cooperation is a key tool for addressing these challenges.
Dr. Azzam chaired the first virtual general meeting of the GEMC for 2026, with broad participation from committee members, regulatory authorities, and capital market representatives from various emerging and developing countries. The meeting reflected the committee’s pivotal role in supporting market development and enhancing international cooperation among regulatory bodies.
The GEMC is the largest committee within IOSCO, representing more than 75% of the organization’s members. Its membership includes 90 members and 24 associate members without voting rights, including some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and 10 members of the G20.
IOSCO is considered the world’s leading reference body for establishing the principles and standards governing financial markets. Countries seek to comply with its standards to ensure market fairness, transparency, efficiency, and proper risk management. The organization includes approximately 95% of the world’s securities regulators in its membership.
At the opening of the meeting, Dr. Azzam welcomed committee members and expressed appreciation for the support he received following his election as Chairman of the committee in March 2026 for the remainder of the 2024–2026 term, as well as for the new 2026–2028 term. He reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the committee’s role and expanding the support it provides to its 117 members, reinforcing its position as one of IOSCO’s most influential committees representing the interests of emerging and developing markets internationally.
An International Platform for Knowledge Exchange and Policy Development
In his remarks, Dr. Azzam emphasized that the GEMC serves as a major international platform for exchanging regulatory expertise and experiences, as well as discussing priority issues for emerging markets. He noted that chairing the committee carries special significance because the committee’s chair also serves, by virtue of the position, as Vice Chair of the IOSCO Board, reflecting the committee’s institutional importance and influential role in shaping global regulatory directions for capital markets.
He also highlighted the importance of continuously developing the committee’s agenda to reflect the needs of emerging markets and support IOSCO’s core objectives, particularly investor protection, market integrity and efficiency, and financial stability amid accelerating global challenges and rapid developments in financial technology, digitalization, and investment products.
Support from the IOSCO Board and Capacity-Building Activities
The meeting featured participation from Jean-Paul Servais, Chair of the IOSCO Board. During his introduction, Dr. Azzam stressed the importance of the support provided by the IOSCO Board to the GEMC, noting its role in reinforcing the committee’s status as a key platform for sharing expertise and lessons learned related to emerging markets.
Rodrigo Buenaventura, IOSCO Secretary General, also participated in the meeting. Discussions covered the organization’s capacity-building initiatives aimed at supporting committee members, as well as the results of the Market Development Survey conducted by the committee in March 2026 to identify future priorities.
Dr. Azzam stressed that capacity building and knowledge exchange among committee members are fundamental to supporting market development efforts. He underscored the importance of prioritizing initiatives amid the diversity of issues facing emerging markets, while leveraging strategic partnerships with international institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and regional development banks to improve market efficiency and strengthen regulatory capabilities.
He explained that the committee would work closely with the organization’s General Secretariat to ensure that future meetings and workshops reflect the actual priorities of emerging markets, supporting capital market development, financial stability, inclusion, and sustainability.
Analysis of Global Debt Risks and Emerging Market Challenges
The meeting also included extensive discussions on global market developments and risks affecting emerging markets. Carmine Di Noia, Director for Financial and Enterprise Affairs at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, presented key findings from the 2026 Global Debt Report, highlighting growing challenges in global debt markets, including rising interest rates, refinancing risks, shifts in investor preferences, and increasing borrowing needs despite continued market resilience.
The presentation also examined the impact of these developments on emerging economies, particularly regarding their ability to deepen local bond markets and attract long-term investors.
In addition, Eudald Canadell, Chair of IOSCO’s Committee on Emerging Risks, and Dr. Igor Koganov, Vice Chair of the committee, presented the 2026 Risk Outlook Report. The report addressed several escalating issues relevant to emerging markets, including developments in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), increased retail investor participation in private markets, changes in market behavior, and the growing use of artificial intelligence applications in financial products and services. It also explored regulatory and supervisory challenges related to digital assets and cross-border activities.
Participants discussed the importance of strengthening oversight and supervisory tools, leveraging supervisory technology (SupTech), and developing flexible, risk-based regulatory frameworks capable of keeping pace with rapid changes.
In this context, Dr. Azzam stressed that these risks are particularly significant for developing and emerging markets, especially in less mature market environments that may face challenges related to liquidity, disclosure, or regulatory resources. He emphasized the need for balanced and practical regulatory responses focused on enhancing disclosure, improving supervisory tools, and ensuring technology-neutral regulatory frameworks centered on effective risk management.
The Chairman also highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation in addressing global risks, noting that the GEMC continues to play a vital role in facilitating the exchange of successful regulatory experiences among its members, contributing to stronger markets and greater readiness to deal with international developments.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Dr. Islam Azzam expressed appreciation for the active participation and constructive engagement of committee members, reaffirming the committee’s commitment to strengthening its role as an effective platform for supporting emerging markets. -
CBE withdraws liquidity worth EGP 45.5 billion through the open market auction
Tuesday 12/05/202612:49:10 PMRead moreCBE withdraws liquidity worth EGP 45.5 billion through the open market auction
The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) withdrew EGP 45.5 billion in liquidity on Tuesday through an open market auction, with four participating banks offering deposits at an interest rate of 19.5%.
The CBE had previously issued instructions regarding the rules governing its main deposit-linking operation, which was conducted weekly through a fixed-price auction. The size of the auction was announced, and bids were accepted using an allocation method based on the ratio of each bank's bid to the total number of bids submitted, with the main operation's rate applied.
This change, aimed at adopting best international practices for managing excess liquidity in the banking system and enhancing the effectiveness of monetary policy decisions, involves shifting the bid acceptance method for the main deposit-linking operation from allocation to accepting all submitted bids. The results of each auction will be published on the CBE's website. -
Egypt’s economy grows 5% in Q3 FY2025/2026
Tuesday 12/05/202612:47:18 PMRead moreEgypt’s economy grows 5% in Q3 FY2025/2026
Business Today-
Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Ahmed Rostom, reviewed the preliminary performance indicators of the Egyptian economy during the third quarter of fiscal year 2025/2026 at the cabinet’s weekly meeting.
The minister stated that Egypt’s GDP growth rate recorded a preliminary 5% during the third quarter of FY2025/2026, compared to 4.8% during the same period of the previous fiscal year.
He explained that the achieved growth exceeded expectations for the quarter despite the ongoing regional crisis, noting that growth had initially been projected to decline to 4.6% due to geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains and contributing to higher oil prices.
Rostom highlighted strong growth across several non-oil sectors during the quarter, with the Suez Canal recording growth of 23.6%, while the restaurants and hotels sector grew by 8.3%, and the construction sector expanded by 5.6%.
He also confirmed the continued partial recovery of the Suez Canal’s activity, stating that navigation traffic has gradually improved, allowing the canal to maintain positive growth for the third consecutive quarter at 23.6%, despite ongoing regional tensions and disruptions.
The minister further noted that non-oil manufacturing activity continued to achieve positive growth of 2.1%.
Industrial production, reflected in the manufacturing index, showed strong performance across several subsectors, including wood products, which grew by 60%, motor vehicle manufacturing by 27%, chemical products by 10%, and pharmaceuticals by 8%, while both paper and food industries recorded growth of 4%.
Rostom added that the construction sector rebounded with 5.6% growth during the third quarter after contracting in the previous quarter, driven by continued infrastructure projects and urban expansion.
He pointed to rising iron and cement sales during the quarter compared to the same period last year.
He also noted that international institutions expect strong growth for the construction sector in the coming years.
According to Fitch Ratings, the sector’s growth is projected to increase from 4.1% in FY2024-2025 to 5.6% in FY2026-2027, and further to 6.6% in FY2027-2028, supported by investments in energy projects, electricity grid modernization, renewable energy expansion, and large-scale industrial and urban development projects.
The minister added that the pace of contraction in the extractive industries sector has slowed amid intensified drilling and exploration programs, which have recently boosted oil and gas production.
He also highlighted the government’s efforts to support foreign partners by securing necessary supply facilitation measures and settling a significant portion of their dues.
These efforts helped reduce total arrears owed to foreign partners from $6.1 billion at the end of June 2024 to around $700 million, with the government aiming to fully settle all outstanding payments by the end of next June.
In the same context, Rostom noted that numerous oil and gas discoveries announced during March and April are expected to improve production levels and positively impact growth rates in the sector during the fourth quarter of FY2025/2026.
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Egypt garment exports rise 10% to $862M in Q1 2026
Tuesday 12/05/202612:46:46 PMRead moreEgypt garment exports rise 10% to $862M in Q1 2026
Business Today-
Egypt’s ready-made garment exports increased by 10% year-on-year during the first quarter of 2026, reaching $862 million, according to the Export Council for Ready-Made Garments.
The council said the performance reflects continued export momentum despite global economic challenges, alongside improved competitiveness of Egyptian manufacturing and sustained foreign demand for locally made products.
Europe remained the largest destination for Egyptian garment exports during the January–March period, accounting for around 44% of total exports. Shipments to European markets rose 21% year-on-year to $379 million, up from $313 million in the same period of 2025.
Exports to the United States also posted solid growth, climbing to $329 million in the first quarter of 2026, compared with $289 million a year earlier, reinforcing the U.S.’s position as one of Egypt’s top export markets.
Arab countries accounted for 13.4% of Egypt’s garment exports during the quarter.
Among individual markets, Turkey remained one of the leading importers of Egyptian garments, with imports rising to $101 million from $96 million in the corresponding period last year.
Italy emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets, with Egyptian garment exports to the country surging 103% year-on-year to $24 million.
By product category, trousers topped Egypt’s garment exports during the quarter, driven particularly by higher-value denim products. Exports in this category rose 16% to $332 million, compared with $286 million a year earlier.
Women’s blouses and woven shirts ranked second, generating $114 million in exports, up from $102 million in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting broader diversification across Egypt’s garment export base. -
Egypt secures $1B World Bank financing package backed by UK guarantee to support reforms and green growth
Tuesday 12/05/202612:46:10 PMRead moreEgypt secures $1B World Bank financing package backed by UK guarantee to support reforms and green growth
Business Today-
The World Bank Group approved a new $1 billion financing package for Egypt aimed at boosting private sector-led job creation, strengthening macroeconomic stability, and accelerating the country’s transition toward a greener economy.
The package includes a $200 million credit guarantee provided by the United Kingdom government, reflecting continued international backing for Egypt’s reform agenda amid ongoing regional and global economic pressures.
The financing comes as Egypt continues implementing economic reforms following two years of successive external shocks and renewed uncertainty linked to tensions in the Middle East.
According to the World Bank, reforms including exchange-rate unification, tighter fiscal discipline, and improvements in tax policy and administration have helped rebuild external buffers, ease inflationary pressures, improve investor confidence, and gradually support economic recovery.
The operation, titled “Generating Resilience, Opportunities, and Welfare for a Thriving Egypt II (GROWTH II)”, is designed to support policies that encourage job creation, improve the sustainability of public finances, and advance environmentally sustainable growth.
Stéphane Guimbert, the World Bank’s division director for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti, said Egypt is pursuing an “ambitious reform agenda” aimed at unlocking private investment, generating jobs, and protecting vulnerable households despite challenging regional and global conditions.
He added that the financing would support efforts to build a “more competitive, resilient and sustainable economy” capable of withstanding future shocks.
Samar Al Ahdal, Egypt’s deputy minister of foreign affairs for international cooperation, said the financing reflects the strong partnership between Egypt, the World Bank Group, and the United Kingdom, adding that the reforms supported under the programme are expected to create better jobs, protect vulnerable groups, and promote inclusive growth.
UK Ambassador to Egypt Mark Bryson-Richardson said the UK is proud to support Egypt’s reform programme through the guarantee agreement in partnership with the World Bank Group.
The programme supports reforms targeting stronger governance of state-owned enterprises, reduced barriers to private investment, and the enforcement of fair competition rules.
It also includes measures aimed at improving domestic revenue mobilisation, enhancing the efficiency of domestic debt markets, and lowering government borrowing costs.
On the social front, the programme seeks to expand protection for vulnerable households by automatically enrolling beneficiaries of the Takaful and Karama programme into Egypt’s Universal Health Insurance System.
The financing package also backs Egypt’s green transition through measures to improve greenhouse gas emissions monitoring, develop carbon credit markets, support demand-driven clean energy investments, and strengthen the financial sustainability of the electricity and water sectors.
The World Bank said the package represents the second operation in a three-part concessional financing programme offered on terms more favourable than market rates.
The programme is aligned with broader international support for Egypt’s reform agenda, including cooperation with the International Monetary Fund and the European Union, while the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is expected to provide parallel financing.
The financing is also consistent with the World Bank Group’s Country Partnership Framework for Egypt for 2023–2027, which focuses on supporting green, resilient, and inclusive development through stronger private sector participation, improved human capital outcomes, and greater resilience to economic shocks.
