Unemployment Rate Increases to 7.5% in Egypt

A view of the city skyline and River Nile from Cairo tower building in the capital of Cairo, Egypt December 5, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A view of the city skyline and River Nile from Cairo tower building in the capital of Cairo, Egypt December 5, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
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Unemployment Rate Increases to 7.5% in Egypt

A view of the city skyline and River Nile from Cairo tower building in the capital of Cairo, Egypt December 5, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
A view of the city skyline and River Nile from Cairo tower building in the capital of Cairo, Egypt December 5, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Egypt’s unemployment rate went up 0.2 percent to 7.5 percent in Q3 2021, from 7.3 percent in the previous quarter, the state statistics agency said on Tuesday.

The total number of employees increased by 0.9 percent to 29.380 million in the July-September period, compared to 29.115 million in Q2 2021, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) added.

It attributed this increase to the influx of new graduates during August and September into the labor market, which led to an rise in the unemployment rate in this quarter.

The urban labor force recorded 13.187 million individuals, while the rural labor force stood at 16.193 million.

The number of male employees stood at 24.277 million, whereas the number of female employees reached 5.103 million.

The number of unemployed people reached 2.211 million in Q3 2021, representing 7.5 percent of the labor force, up from 2.155 million in Q2 2021.

Meanwhile, MISR Cement Group, previously known as Misr Cement – Qena Group, unveiled its new identity.

Capitalizing on its exceptional heritage, the group’s companies are now united under one competent management, adopting a new strategy of supremacy.

The Group embraced four key strategic axes, namely enhancing production capabilities, growing for leadership, positively impacting the environment and building internal potential.

It is a prominent group of cement and building materials manufacturing companies in Egypt, comprised of Misr Cement Qena, Misr Cement Minya and Misr Cement Beton.

“Committed to keeping pace with the market’s updates and addressing challenges, we adjusted the group’s strategy and policies to join forces under one umbrella, integrating our deep-rooted corporate values into its weave,” said Eng. Tarek Talaat, the Managing Director of MISR Cement Group.



Gold Prices Climb on Safe-Haven Demand; US Payrolls Data in Focus

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
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Gold Prices Climb on Safe-Haven Demand; US Payrolls Data in Focus

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold prices climbed on Friday, supported by safe-haven demand arising from the Middle East conflict, while spotlight shifted towards US payrolls report to gauge the trajectory of the Federal Reserve's policy path.
Spot gold was up 0.3% at $2,662.50 per ounce, as of 0325 GMT, after climbing to an all-time high of $2,685.42 on Sept. 26. Bullion has gained 0.2 for the week.
US gold futures edged 0.1% higher to $2,682.10.
The dollar eased 0.1%, pulling back from over a one-month high, making greenback-priced bullion less expensive for other currency holders, reported Reuters.
Geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning Israel and Iran, are supporting gold prices and unless these risks subside, prices are likely to remain near record levels, said Ajay Kedia, director at Kedia Commodities, Mumbai.
The US is discussing strikes on Iran's oil facilities as retaliation for Tehran's missile attack on Israel, President Joe Biden said, while Israel's military hit Beirut with new air strikes in its battle against Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Bullion is considered a safe investment during times of political and financial uncertainty, and thrives in a low-rate environment.
The US nonfarm payroll data is due at 1230 GMT. New York Fed President John Williams and Chicago Fed President Austan are also scheduled to speak later in the day.
If the NFP report comes in strong, it will be positive for the dollar and then gold prices will see some profit-booking, Kedia added.
Traders see a 69% chance of a 25-basis-point Fed rate cut in November, according to CME FedWatch Tool.
BMI said in a note it expects gold prices to trade within the range of $2,500 to $2,800 in the coming months.
Spot silver rose 0.4% to $32.17 per ounce and has gained about 1.8% so far this week.
Platinum climbed 1.1% to $1,001.79 and palladium advanced 1.4% to $1,013.46.