Egypt has paid approximately $5bn of outstanding arrears to foreign partners in the petroleum sector and remains committed to settling regular monthly invoices, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Wednesday. Speaking during a weekly cabinet meeting at the government headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, Madbouly stated that arrears to foreign partners stood at $6.1bn on June 30, 2024. The Prime Minister referred to a meeting held by the President to review efforts regarding Egypt’s strategy to become a regional hub for energy and gas trade. Madbouly said there are directives to intensify exploration to expand the scope of discoveries and benefit from successful experiences. The Prime Minister emphasised that the Egyptian state is committed to paying the dues of foreign partners in the petroleum sector according to a specific timeline, in addition to adhering to the monthly bills for those partners.

El-Khatib attributed the investment surge to economic reforms implemented over the last 18 months, which he said have significantly improved macroeconomic indicators and built trust with the business community. The ministers stated that the government aims to establish a “fair competitive environment” that allows the private sector to lead economic growth. Discussions with the EBRD also focused on a comprehensive support package for Egyptian companies, aimed at improving energy efficiency, opening new markets, and encouraging sustainable export growth. Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk presented Egypt’s tax reform experience as a successful model for building trust with taxpayers. The meeting also addressed raising targets for foreign direct investment (FDI), with El-Khatib noting that sustained momentum depends on continued structural reforms and the improvement of the overall investment climate.

Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities Sherif El-Sherbiny chaired a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) to review the authority’s work agenda, assess the progress of tourism development projects, and discuss ways to accelerate tourism investment. During the meeting, the board approved a package of measures aimed at stimulating tourism investment. These include rescheduling instalment payments for tourism development and investment companies, without affecting the deadlines for subsequent payments, within the framework of facilitation measures previously endorsed by the board. The approved package also includes extending the grace period granted to tourism development and investment companies that have obtained initial approvals and are committed to settling their financial obligations. At the conclusion of the meeting, El-Sherbiny instructed continued coordination and intensified efforts to advance tourism investment and keep pace with developments across the sector.

Global protectionist policies are creating opportunities for African nations to attract industrial investment by encouraging companies to reshore activities to the continent, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation said on Wednesday. “Protectionist policies are creating real opportunities for African countries and enhancing their ability to attract industrial investment,” Al-Mashat said, noting that these shifts encourage the relocation of economic activities to exploit Africa’s large market size and available skills. The zone integrates industrial production with logistics services to facilitate the import of inputs, value addition, and re-export to African markets. “Resilience is no longer a defensive concept, but rather a fundamental requirement for attracting investment and enhancing productivity and competitiveness,” Al-Mashat said. She added that Egypt’s growth trajectory is now measuredby the quality, sustainability, and structure of growth rather than solely by gross domestic product expansion rates.

Coca-Cola plans to open a new factory in Alexandria and more than double the workforce at its Cairo digital hub by 2027, company executives told Egyptian ministers on Wednesday. The hub provides services to support the company’s operations across 27 countries, according to a statement from the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade. They described Egypt as a strategic regional hub that allows multinational corporations to expand operations into broader regional and international markets. Goltzman said that Egypt serves as a “pivotal centre” for the company’s regional operations, citing its advanced industrial infrastructure, strong logistical capabilities, and qualified human resources. He affirmed Coca-Cola’s commitment to long-term partnership and sustainable industrial expansion in the Egyptian market.

The Syrian army’s Operations Command warned civilians in the provinces of Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and eastern Aleppo on Wednesday against entering Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) sites or tunnels, alleging the areas have been heavily booby-trapped. It includes the withdrawal of all SDF military formations to the east of the Euphrates River as a preliminary step for redeployment. Under the terms, the Syrian government is to receive full and immediate administrative and military control of the Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa provinces. The agreement also provides for the integration of all civilian institutions in Hasakah province into Syrian state structures and gives the government control over all border crossings and oil and gas fields in the region. Separately, the SDF on Wednesday denied what it termed “misleading claims” regarding an explosion in the Tel Kojer/Al-Ya’rubiyah area.

US President Donald Trump has said he issued “very strict” instructions for the United States to “wipe Iran off the face of the earth” if the country attempts to carry out threats to assassinate him. In an interview with News Nation to mark the first anniversary of his inauguration, a portion of which was broadcast on Tuesday, Trump stated that the United States “will respond to the whole of Iran” if it executes its threats. Pezeshkian’s remarks followed a Saturday interview with Politico in which Trump called for a search for “new leadership in Iran,” as data suggested a decline in the scale of protests. Khamenei subsequently labelled Trump a “criminal,” holding him responsible for casualties, damage, and “tarnishing the reputation of Iranians” during the past two weeks of unrest. Let us try respect, which will enable us to achieve progress beyond what some might imagine.”

The Engineering Export Council of Egypt (EECE) has launched a trade mission to Kuwait, following the conclusion of a successful visit to the Qatari market, as part of its efforts to strengthen Egyptian engineering exports and expand their presence in high-potential regional markets. The mission is headed by Sherif El-Sayyad, Chairperson of the EECE, and includes senior diplomatic and trade officials from both Egypt and Kuwait. El-Sayyad said the Kuwaiti market represents a key pillar of the Council’s regional expansion strategy, citing rising demand for engineering products and strong potential to increase Egyptian exports in the coming period. He noted that such trade missions are among the most effective tools for boosting exports and enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian industry. The Qatari mission included a delegation of Egyptian engineering companies, in line with the Council’s strategy to open new markets for Egyptian products and strengthen their presence in international markets.

Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, has directed the ministry’s agencies to update preparedness plans for the 2026 peak summer water demand season, stressing the need for full operational readiness of irrigation and drainage systems and the use of modern monitoring technologies to ensure efficiency and service quality. In a statement, the ministry said Sewilam chaired a meeting to review preparations for the upcoming summer season and instructed regional directorates to update comprehensive plans covering all water management activities. These include irrigation and drainage networks, pumping stations, intermediate mixing facilities, private canals, terminal outlets, intake gates, and control structures. The minister called for clear, time-bound implementation schedules based on unified planning templates to ensure maximum readiness ahead of the period of highest water demand. Sewilam also stressed the importance of strict quality control over canal and drain dredging works, with proper handover procedures in line with technical specifications.

Egypt’s fresh and processed agricultural exports reached a record $11.5bn in 2025, according to Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, underscoring the sector’s growing contribution to the national economy. Agricultural exports accounted for nearly 24% of Egypt’s total exports, highlighting agriculture’s role as a key driver of economic growth. Potatoes ranked second at 1.3 million tonnes, followed by sweet potatoes, which recorded a significant surge to 387,000 tonnes. He noted that Egyptian agricultural products enjoy a high level of trust in international markets due to their adherence to strict quality standards. Currently, Egypt exports around 405 agricultural products to 167 countries worldwide, reinforcing its status as a major global agricultural supplier.

Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), and Angelina Eichhorst, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Egypt and the League of Arab States, inaugurated the 9th Steering Committee Meeting of the EU-funded regional initiative to support African central banks through capacity building, titled “Strengthening Financial Stability, Resilience, and Governance – Towards an Enhanced European System of Central Banks (ESCB) Dialogue with Africa”. The meeting was hosted at the CBE’s headquarters on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, with the participation of representatives from a number of European and African central banks. On this occasion, CBE Governor Hassan Abdalla said that since the programme’s launch in December 2023, it has demonstrated the importance of peer-to-peer cooperation between African and European central banks. He noted that the initiative has delivered tangible benefits for African central banks, including capacity development, knowledge exchange, and support for reform efforts to address global economic challenges. The programme benefits a number of African central banks, including the Central Bank of Egypt, the National Bank of Angola, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), the Bank of Ghana, the Central Bank of Kenya, Bank Al-Maghrib, the Bank of Mozambique, the Bank of Namibia, the South African Reserve Bank, the Bank of Tanzania, and the Central Bank of Tunisia, covering a total of 24 African countries.

Suez Canal revenue increased by 18.5% in the first half of the fiscal year (FY) 2025/26, Chairperson Osama Rabie said on Wednesday, as he declared conditions ready for the full return of global shipping lines to the waterway. “The circumstances are now strongly prepared for the return of all shipping lines,” Rabie said, describing the canal as the most sustainable route for global trade between East and West. Ahmed Mekkawi, representing Gulf Agency Company (GAC), reported increased inquiries from owners and charterers of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vessels regarding Suez Canal transits. Meanwhile, Hany el-Salamouny of COSCO stated that global shipping lines recognise there is no sustainable alternative to the Suez Canal, given the high costs associated with the Cape of Good Hope route. Deputy Chairman Admiral Ashraf Atwa emphasised that the return of shipping lines is an “urgent necessity” to ensure the efficiency of global supply chains.

Hoffmann stated that the meeting reflected Egypt’s international standing and aimed to showcase Sisi’s vision for private sector involvement in the state’s comprehensive development plans. Sisi outlined a strategy focused on expanding the private sector’s role, including the implementation of the State Ownership Policy document and an initial public offering (IPO) programme. These measures, along with a ceiling on public investment, have led to an increase in the private sector’s share of total investment in Egypt, El-Shennawy said. Regarding macroeconomic performance, Al-Sisi noted that Egypt’s economic programme, conducted in cooperation with international financial institutions led by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has resulted in improved indicators. In a separate meeting, Al-Sisi held talks with WEF President and Chief Executive Børge Brende to discuss global challenges and development.

Egypt’s current account deficit narrowed by 45.2% to $3.2bn during the first quarter of the fiscal year (FY) 2025/26, supported by a significant surge in remittances and growth in the services sector. Gains in the current account were partially offset by a wider oil trade deficit, which grew by $946.6m to reach $5.2bn. The capital and financial account recorded a net outflow of $366.4m, a reversal from the $3.8bn net inflow seen in the prior year. Portfolio investment in Egypt saw a net inflow of $1.8bn, compared to a net outflow of $384.7m a year earlier. Despite the narrowing current account deficit, the overall balance of payments (BoP) recorded a deficit of $1.6bn for the quarter, compared to a deficit of $991.2m in the same period of the previous financial year.

Daltex Group, a provider of integrated agricultural solutions, participated in Agri Expo 2026, reaffirming its commitment to introducing advanced technologies and modern farming practices to support Egyptian farmers, boost productivity, and improve crop quality. The group said its participation aimed to spotlight a range of new initiatives and products that position Egypt among the countries benefiting from the latest global agricultural innovations. A key highlight of Daltex Group’s participation was the launch of ORTH, a smart farming assistant introduced in Egypt for the first time. As part of its efforts to improve customer experience in the Egyptian agricultural market, Daltex Group also announced the second rollout of its customer loyalty points programme. As part of its Agri Expo 2026 participation, Daltex Group also announced the availability of certified citrus seedlings within its integrated solutions offering.