Syria Devalues Local Currency after Sacking Central Bank Governor

Syrian pounds are stacked inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria, Feb. 3, 2020. Reuters file photo
Syrian pounds are stacked inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria, Feb. 3, 2020. Reuters file photo
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Syria Devalues Local Currency after Sacking Central Bank Governor

Syrian pounds are stacked inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria, Feb. 3, 2020. Reuters file photo
Syrian pounds are stacked inside an exchange currency shop in Azaz, Syria, Feb. 3, 2020. Reuters file photo

Syria devalued the pound on Thursday, bringing the currency's official exchange rate closer to the black market rate, two days after the central bank governor was sacked.

The pound was now officially valued at 2,512 to the US dollar from around 1,250 previously, central bank data showed. The black market rate is more than 3,000 to the greenback.

The move means the Syrian currency has officially shed more than 98 percent of its value since the start of the country's civil war in 2011.

It follows the government's decision to dismiss central bank governor Hazem Karfoul on Tuesday after a three-year tenure that coincided with a severe economic crisis.

The pound stood at 47 pounds to the dollar before the conflict.

Syria last devalued the pound in June 2020, giving in to weeks of depreciation on the black market as new US sanctions took effect.

The country's war-battered economy is now reeling from the knock-on effects of a financial crisis in neighboring Lebanon that has stemmed the flow of dollars into regime-held areas.

Syrians are believed to have billions of dollars blocked in Lebanese banks that have imposed harsh capital controls since late 2019.

The regime of Bashar al-Assad also blames Western sanctions against Syria for the economic crisis.

The average salary in Syria is about 90,000 pounds ($29) per month making it difficult for many Syrians to survive.

The economic crunch has plunged millions into food insecurity nationwide, as food has over the years become 33 times more expensive than before the war, UN figures show.



Egypt's EGAS Awards 6 Blocks in Mediterranean, Nile Delta, N. Sinai to Int’l Companies

A general view of the Nile River from the Egyptian capital, Cairo (Reuters)
A general view of the Nile River from the Egyptian capital, Cairo (Reuters)
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Egypt's EGAS Awards 6 Blocks in Mediterranean, Nile Delta, N. Sinai to Int’l Companies

A general view of the Nile River from the Egyptian capital, Cairo (Reuters)
A general view of the Nile River from the Egyptian capital, Cairo (Reuters)

Egypt's EGAS has awarded four blocks in the Mediterranean, one in the Nile delta, and one in North Sinai to international companies, according to a petroleum ministry statement on Wednesday.

Companies will invest $ 245 million to drill at least 13 new exploratory wells during the exploration period.

A consortium of Chevron Egypt and  Shell's BG Group was awarded the North Samian offshore block and Northwest Atoll offshore block, where it will drill two exploratory wells in each block.

The North Ras El Tin offshore block was awarded to Eni's IEOC, with plans to drill three exploratory wells.

Cheiron Egypt will drill three exploratory wells in East Alexandria offshore block, while IPR will drill two exploratory wells in the North Tanta onshore block and Perenco will conduct 3D seismic survey and drill one exploratory well in El Fayrouz onshore block in North Sinai.