Egypt Seeks to Boost Cooperation with Islamic Development Bank

Egypt is seeking the Islamic Development Bank to support its exports. (EPA)
Egypt is seeking the Islamic Development Bank to support its exports. (EPA)
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Egypt Seeks to Boost Cooperation with Islamic Development Bank

Egypt is seeking the Islamic Development Bank to support its exports. (EPA)
Egypt is seeking the Islamic Development Bank to support its exports. (EPA)

Egypt is seeking to deepen ties with the Islamic Development Bank, announced Minister of Planning and Economic Development Dr. Hala el-Saeed.

Saeed is the governor of Egypt at the Islamic Development Bank group.

She stressed the need to benefit from the capabilities of the Islamic institution in supporting Egyptian exports and exporters to open new markets to their products.

Saeed is hoping to overcome challenges faced by export operations to foreign markets, especially Africa.

She made her remarks during a meeting with Oussama Abdel Rahman Kaissi, CEO of the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC).

Separately, the Monetary Policy Committee of Egypt’s Central Bank (CBE) kept its deposit rate at 8.25 percent on Thursday and its lending rate at 9.25 percent, the fifth consecutive month it left them unchanged.

Egypt’s annual general urban inflation rate rose to 4.8 percent in May 2021 from 4.1 percent in April, after having decelerated from 4.5 percent in March 2021.

The central bank expects inflation rates to continue to be affected by unfavorable base effects in the near term.

Preliminary data indicate annual real GDP growth of 2.9 percent during the first quarter of 2021, up from 2 percent in the prior quarter.

On the global level, the CBE noted that economic activity continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.



Oman’s Commerce Minister: Omani-Saudi Trade, Economic Ties Witness Significant Growth

General view of Riyadh. SPA
General view of Riyadh. SPA
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Oman’s Commerce Minister: Omani-Saudi Trade, Economic Ties Witness Significant Growth

General view of Riyadh. SPA
General view of Riyadh. SPA

Omani Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion Qais bin Mohammad Al-Yousef has said that trade and economic relations between Oman and Saudi Arabia are experiencing significant growth, reflecting the strength of the fraternal and historical ties between the two countries.

During a news conference organized by the Omani Ministry of Information under the theme "Oman and the World," Al-Yousef explained on Thursday that joint projects reflect the efforts made to enhance economic cooperation between the two nations, particularly in areas that support trade exchange, regional economic development and expanding cooperation in fields such as energy, industry, technology, and tourism.

He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts in opening the land route linking the Kingdom to Oman, which represents a qualitative leap in enhancing bilateral trade movement. It has facilitated the mobility of both companies and citizens and boosted tourism and public communication, alongside supporting both nations’ efforts to achieve economic integration through building advanced infrastructure, he said.

"Saudi-Omani relations are strong and prosperous, witnessing growth in all areas. We are confident that the continued cooperation between us will yield strategic gains that serve the interests of both countries in the commercial, industrial, or tourism sectors,” the minister said.

He also pointed out that Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in developing the industrial sector and modernizing the logistical infrastructure, which opens new horizons for joint cooperation, especially in areas related to industrial integration and investment in major projects.

He highlighted the recent visit by Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi to Oman, where he discussed several initiatives that both sides aim to implement in the near future, as well as opportunities to launch joint projects between the private sectors of both countries, particularly in industrial fields.

Al-Yousef stressed the Saudi-Omani relationship serves as a model for Arab economic cooperation, and that the future holds many opportunities to strengthen this cooperation at all levels.