Egypt Seeks Bilateral Partnerships with BRICS

The Egyptian Minister of Finance, Mohamed Maait, with International Cooperation Minister Rania al-Mashat during meetings at the New Development Bank in China (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Egyptian Minister of Finance, Mohamed Maait, with International Cooperation Minister Rania al-Mashat during meetings at the New Development Bank in China (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt Seeks Bilateral Partnerships with BRICS

The Egyptian Minister of Finance, Mohamed Maait, with International Cooperation Minister Rania al-Mashat during meetings at the New Development Bank in China (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Egyptian Minister of Finance, Mohamed Maait, with International Cooperation Minister Rania al-Mashat during meetings at the New Development Bank in China (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt is committed to strengthening cooperation with the New Development Bank and establishing bilateral and multilateral partnerships with BRICS countries, says Finance Minister Mohamed Maait.

Maait, the Governor of Egypt at the New Development Bank, added that the collaboration aims to strengthen solidarity among nations in addressing the current global economic challenges, which have significantly impacted developing countries.

The Minister spoke at the New Development Bank's Board of Governors meeting at the Shanghai, China headquarters.

Maait emphasized the importance of international development partners adopting more suitable programs to enhance the capabilities of emerging economies without imposing excessive financial burdens.

The top official noted that collaborating will strengthen solidarity among nations in addressing the current global economic challenges.

The Bank's significant financing capabilities and advanced international expertise contribute to a portfolio that promotes green growth, supports Egypt's development path in various sectors, and is aligned with Egypt's Vision 2030, said the Minister.

Maait also highlighted Egypt's commitment to diversifying funding sources to meet development needs and alleviate burdens while improving the standard of living and public services.

He said that Egypt is looking for international partners' support, including the New Development Bank, to complete its development journey and enhance its capabilities for green recovery by stimulating investments in environmentally friendly projects and creating financial space for developing countries to invest in infrastructure.

For her part, Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat said that Egypt's accession to the membership of the Bank enhances its efforts to promote development and achieve integration with emerging economies and developing countries to mobilize the necessary resources to finance infrastructure projects and sustainable development.

Mashat pointed out that Egypt's membership reflects the steps implemented to enhance international cooperation, development financing, and the creation of constructive partnerships with international institutions and multilateral development banks.

New Development Bank (NDB) is a Shanghai-based multilateral development bank established by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS).

Since its inception, the Development Bank has approved over 90 financing projects worth $32 billion in transportation, water supply, clean energy, digital and social infrastructure, and construction.

The Bank supports sustainable development and enhances regional cooperation and integration by investing mainly in infrastructure. It expanded its operations to include the health and social infrastructure, considering the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.

In 2012, BRICS countries agreed to establish the Bank with a capital of $100 billion during their fourth summit in New Delhi.



Derayah Financial Joins Flurry of Saudi Firms Seeking a Listing

Derayah Financial Joins Flurry of Saudi Firms Seeking a Listing
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Derayah Financial Joins Flurry of Saudi Firms Seeking a Listing

Derayah Financial Joins Flurry of Saudi Firms Seeking a Listing

Saudi Arabia's Derayah Financial became the first firm to announce plans this year to float on Riyadh's main market, after it said on Thursday it was offering investors a 20% stake via an initial public offering (IPO).
The company is planning to sell 49.94 million existing shares in the IPO, it said in an intention to float document, adding the price for the offering will be determined at the end of a book-building period, without providing further details, Reuters said.
"I am excited to welcome new shareholders to join us on this journey as we continue to drive innovation, create value, and contribute to the Kingdom's ambitious economic transformation," co-founder and chairman Taha AlKuwaiz said in the document.
Founded in 2009, Derayah provides brokerage and trading services, as well as asset and wealth management solutions, with 15.1 billion riyals ($4.03 billion) in assets under management as of the end of June.
The possible listing is part of a flurry of IPOs in the Gulf driven in part by local governments' economic diversification strategy and listings by private groups and family businesses.
Saudi Arabia's red-hot IPO market saw a number of financial services firms including Rasan Information Technology and Yaqeen Capital make their market debut last year.
Others like the investment banking arm of one of the Kingdom's biggest lenders, Riyad Bank, could follow suit this year.
Derayah posted a net profit of 228 million riyals ($60.80 million) in the first half of 2024, up 70% from the same period a year earlier, it said on Thursday.
It appointed HSBC Saudi Arabia as sole financial adviser, bookrunner, global coordinator, lead manager and underwriter for the IPO.