Egypt’s Economy Grew by 9.8% In Q1 FY 2021-22

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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Egypt’s Economy Grew by 9.8% In Q1 FY 2021-22

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 economy grew by 9.8% in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2021-22 that began in July, compared with 0.7% in the same period last year, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala al-Saeed said on Wednesday.

Egypt expects a GDP growth of 5.5-5.7% in FY 2021-22 that ends in June, she added.

Her remarks were made during a cabinet session chaired by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, during which she reviewed the initial indicators of the country’s economic performance in the first quarter.

The restaurant and hotel sector recorded the highest quarterly growth rate of about 181.8 percent, reflecting the remarkable recovery from the coronavirus repercussions.

The telecommunications, manufacturing and construction sectors registered a growth rate of 16.3%, about 15.2%, and 10.5%, respectively.

The minister reviewed the contributions of various economic activities to the GDP during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, noting that the most contributing sectors are manufacturing, agriculture, trade, and real estate activities.

Egypt’s inflation rate rose to 8% on an annual basis and 1.6% on a monthly basis during September, Saeed said, attributing the rise to the higher global prices of energy, food commodities and minerals.



IMF Says US Tax, Spending Bill Runs Counter to Deficit-Cutting Advice

 Pens lay on a table before House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., arrives to sign President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP)
Pens lay on a table before House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., arrives to sign President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP)
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IMF Says US Tax, Spending Bill Runs Counter to Deficit-Cutting Advice

 Pens lay on a table before House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., arrives to sign President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP)
Pens lay on a table before House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., arrives to sign President Donald Trump's signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts, Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP)

The massive US tax and spending bill slated for a final vote in Congress runs counter to the International Monetary Fund's recommendations that Washington reduce fiscal deficits over the medium term, IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack said on Thursday.

Kozack told a regular news briefing that there was a broad consensus that the Republican bill will add to US fiscal deficits, while the US needs to start a fiscal consolidation.

"From the IMF side, we have been consistent in saying that the US will need to reduce its fiscal deficit over time to put public debt-to-GDP on a decisive downward path," Kozack said. "Of course, the sooner that process starts to reduce the deficit, the more gradual the deficit reduction can be over time."

Kozack said that there were many policy options for the US to reduce deficits and debt, adding: "It is, of course, important to build consensus within the United States about how it will address its these chronic fiscal deficits."

In recent years, the IMF has recommended that the US raise taxes, including on middle income earners, to close fiscal deficits. The Republican tax bill extends 2017 tax cuts and adds new tax breaks for many Americans.

The IMF advice is at odds with the views of US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has consistently said that he disagrees with traditional budget forecasts and believes that the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" will spur additional US economic growth that will boost revenues.

The United States is the biggest shareholder of the IMF. Bessent, who manages the US stake, has criticized the Fund for straying too far from its core economic stability and surveillance missions.

Kozack said that the IMF was examining details of the US legislation and the likely impact on the economy, and will incorporate its analysis into the late July update of its World Economic Outlook global growth forecasts.

The forecasts also will assess the state of play on US tariffs, after President Donald Trump's July 9 deadline to subject many countries to sharply higher duties unless they agree trade deals.