Egypt: 4th Review of IMF Loan Program to Start Tuesday

A car drives near the site of the Iconic Tower skyscraper in the Central Business District and banks area, at the New Administrative Capital (NAC) east of Cairo, Egypt, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A car drives near the site of the Iconic Tower skyscraper in the Central Business District and banks area, at the New Administrative Capital (NAC) east of Cairo, Egypt, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
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Egypt: 4th Review of IMF Loan Program to Start Tuesday

A car drives near the site of the Iconic Tower skyscraper in the Central Business District and banks area, at the New Administrative Capital (NAC) east of Cairo, Egypt, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A car drives near the site of the Iconic Tower skyscraper in the Central Business District and banks area, at the New Administrative Capital (NAC) east of Cairo, Egypt, November 3, 2024. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

The fourth review of Egypt's loan program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will start on Tuesday, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Sunday.

The IMF increased the size of its loan to Egypt to $8 billion from $3 billion in March, as the central bank said it would allow the currency to trade freely, and amid heightened spillover risks from the Israel-Gaza war.

Credit ratings agency Fitch raised Egypt's rating to "B" from "B-" on Friday, citing the country's stronger finances on the back of several foreign investments and support, and tighter monetary conditions.

"Egypt's external finances have been bolstered... FX buffers have recovered, and we have somewhat greater confidence that the more flexible exchange rate policy will prove more durable than in the past," Fitch said, as it also assigned Egypt a stable outlook.



Saudi Ministry of Tourism Records Growth in Licensing Numbers for Private Hospitality Facilities in 2024

Saudi Ministry of Tourism Records Growth in Licensing Numbers for Private Hospitality Facilities in 2024
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Saudi Ministry of Tourism Records Growth in Licensing Numbers for Private Hospitality Facilities in 2024

Saudi Ministry of Tourism Records Growth in Licensing Numbers for Private Hospitality Facilities in 2024

Preliminary data from the Ministry of Tourism indicates a 333% growth in the number of licenses issued to private tourism hospitality facilities in 2024 compared to 2023, reaching 8,357 licenses, up from 1,929 licenses.
According to tourism regulations, a private tourism hospitality facility is defined as a furnished and independent real estate unit owned by an individual and licensed by the Ministry of Tourism to provide daily accommodation services to tourists for a fee, SPA reported.
Spokesman Mohammed Al-Rasasimah noted that the increase in licenses issued to private tourism hospitality facilities reflects the ministry's commitment to enabling individual investors to obtain necessary operational licenses and to ensure improved service quality.