Ukraine Receives New IMF Loan 1,000 Days into War

A Ukrainian national flag flutters near buildings destroyed by Russian military strikes in Borodianka, Ukraine, February 15, 2023. (Reuters)
A Ukrainian national flag flutters near buildings destroyed by Russian military strikes in Borodianka, Ukraine, February 15, 2023. (Reuters)
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Ukraine Receives New IMF Loan 1,000 Days into War

A Ukrainian national flag flutters near buildings destroyed by Russian military strikes in Borodianka, Ukraine, February 15, 2023. (Reuters)
A Ukrainian national flag flutters near buildings destroyed by Russian military strikes in Borodianka, Ukraine, February 15, 2023. (Reuters)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Ukrainian authorities have reached an agreement that would give Ukraine access to about $1.1 billion, the IMF said on Tuesday, adding that its executive board must still weigh in on the deal.

If approved, the agreement would bring the total amount disbursed to Ukraine under the program to $9.8 billion, the IMF statement said, adding that the board was expected to review the deal in coming weeks.

“The outlook remains exceptionally uncertain and Russia's war in Ukraine continues to take a heavy toll on Ukraine's people, economy, and infrastructure,” the funds' staff wrote, adding that despite those challenges the program “remains on track.”

“The economy has continued to show resilience despite the devastating challenges arising from Russia’s war in Ukraine, which has now lasted 1,000 days,” it added.

“However, risks remain exceptionally high given uncertainty on the intensity and duration of the war, including from the continued attacks on energy infrastructure.”

IMF staff, which met with Ukrainian officials Nov. 11-18, said the country's real GDP growth was expected to be 4% this year but slow to 2.5%-3.5% in 2025 amid energy infrastructure damage and labor shortages.

Inflation in Ukraine also reached 9.7% year-over-year in October over rising food and labor costs “but inflation expectations remain well anchored,” IMF staff concluded.



Egypt Increased Gas, Oil Production in Q3 of 2024

Egyptian Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi speaks at an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo. (Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum)
Egyptian Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi speaks at an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo. (Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum)
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Egypt Increased Gas, Oil Production in Q3 of 2024

Egyptian Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi speaks at an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo. (Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum)
Egyptian Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi speaks at an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo. (Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum)

Egypt’s Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi announced that his country had increased gas production between July and October 2024, with an extra 200 million cubic feet of gas and 39,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

Speaking at an American Chamber of Commerce event in Cairo, Badawi said the Ministry's strategy to address challenges and speed up development, production, and exploration is showing positive results, with early indicators confirming this progress.

Badawi explained that the Ministry is working to attract more investments in the oil and gas sector, both local and international, to meet domestic demand and reduce import costs.

He also noted efforts to regularly settle payments to foreign partners, offer incentives to boost production, and implement pricing reforms, as well as creating new investment opportunities and working with global partners to cut production costs.

Key developments include the resumption of drilling next month at the Zohr gas field, with two new wells expected to add 220 million cubic feet of gas per day. Gas production at the Raven field in the Mediterranean will also be accelerated in January 2025 with additional investment from BP.

Shell has completed the installation of two new wells in the West Delta, with a third set to follow next month. Agiba Petroleum is speeding up work in the Western Desert, and Apache Corporation is helping to increase gas production in the area.

Looking ahead, Badawi outlined plans to further accelerate production and exploration and improve refining capacity, especially at the expanded Midor refinery.