Google Pumped GBP11.2 Billion in Egyptian Economy in 2021

Google has contributed to advancing economic activity in Egypt through its various products in helping individuals, local businesses, content creators and software developers. (Reuters)
Google has contributed to advancing economic activity in Egypt through its various products in helping individuals, local businesses, content creators and software developers. (Reuters)
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Google Pumped GBP11.2 Billion in Egyptian Economy in 2021

Google has contributed to advancing economic activity in Egypt through its various products in helping individuals, local businesses, content creators and software developers. (Reuters)
Google has contributed to advancing economic activity in Egypt through its various products in helping individuals, local businesses, content creators and software developers. (Reuters)

Google directed an estimated 11.2 billion pounds ($61 million) in economic activity in Egypt in 2021, according to the Google Impact Report.

The report is conducted by Public First research agency that looks at how Google products (Search, Play, Maps,YouTube and Google Ads) help people, local businesses, content creators and developers in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Around the world, Google releases Impact Reports, which are based on public polling, economic modeling, and third-party data.

Commenting on the report, Hisham ElNazer, Google’s Country Manager in Egypt, said: “We’re happy to see how people, businesses, content creators and developers in Egypt used our products like Search, YouTube, Maps and Android in their own way to grow and innovate in the face of adversity and change over the last few years.”

“We’re deeply committed to investing and doing more in Egypt this year through programs and local partnerships, whether to help individuals gain necessary skills to grow, or support businesses with tools and mentorship to scale successfully online.”

Meanwhile, a new IBM study revealed that sustainability is rising higher on corporate agendas across the world as CEOs recognize sustainability as a business imperative and growth driver, with Egypt being no different.

Yet, CEOs in Egypt predict technology infrastructure, cashflows and regulations as concerns that may hinder their progress for the next couple of years.

IBM’s annual CEO study, “Own your impact: Practical pathways to transformational sustainability”, which surveyed 60 CEOs in Egypt, found that the majority of CEOs surveyed (72 percent) believe their company’s environmental sustainability strategy is a least partially completed, with 10 percent stating that the strategy is in fact fully completed for their organizations.

However, nearly half (47 percent) of respondents stated technology infrastructure among their greatest challenges, with lack of data insights and unclear Return on Investment (ROI) as major potential hurdles.

Seventy-seven percent of surveyed CEOs stated that they have already started implementing their sustainability strategy across several functions; however, only 11 percent have fully implemented their strategies across their entire organization.

The majority of respondents (67 percent) agreed that business leaders are directly responsible for their organizations business impact on the environment.

“The world economy is facing major challenges this year, foremost of which are supply chain disruptions, inflation, and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic” says Marwa Abbas, General Manager, IBM Egypt.

“But with every challenge comes an opportunity to do things better, more sustainability and to employ cognitive technologies and innovations in order to stay ahead of the curve, and that’s where we’re directing all our efforts.”



Biden Blocks Takeover of US Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel

FILE PHOTO: The logos of Nippon Steel Corp. are displayed at the company headquarters in Tokyo, Japan March 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yuka Obayashi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The logos of Nippon Steel Corp. are displayed at the company headquarters in Tokyo, Japan March 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yuka Obayashi/File Photo
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Biden Blocks Takeover of US Steel by Japan's Nippon Steel

FILE PHOTO: The logos of Nippon Steel Corp. are displayed at the company headquarters in Tokyo, Japan March 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yuka Obayashi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: The logos of Nippon Steel Corp. are displayed at the company headquarters in Tokyo, Japan March 18, 2019. REUTERS/Yuka Obayashi/File Photo

US President Joe Biden blocked Nippon Steel's proposed $14.9 billion purchase of US Steel on Friday, citing national security concerns, dealing a potentially fatal blow to the contentious plan after a year of review.

The deal was announced in December 2023 and almost immediately ran into opposition across the political spectrum ahead of the Nov. 5 US presidential election. Both then-candidate Donald Trump and Biden vowed to block the purchase of the storied American company, the first to be valued at more than $1 billion. US Steel once controlled most of the country's steel output but is now the third-largest US steelmaker and 24th biggest worldwide.

"A strong domestically owned and operated steel industry represents an essential national security priority and is critical for resilient supply chains," Reuters quoted Biden as saying. "Without domestic steel production and domestic steel workers, our nation is less strong and less secure."

Nippon, the world's fourth-largest steelmaker, paid a hefty premium to clinch the deal and made several concessions, including a last-ditch gambit to give the US government veto power over changes to output, but to no avail.

In a statement, Nippon and US Steel blasted Biden's decision, calling it a "clear violation of due process" and a political move, and saying they would "take all appropriate action" to protect their legal rights.
Pittsburgh-based US Steel had warned that thousands of jobs would be at risk without the deal.
US Steel CEO David Burritt said late on Friday the company planned to fight Biden's decision, which he termed "shameful and corrupt." He added that the president had insulted Japan and also refused to meet with the US company to learn its point of view.
"The Chinese Communist Party leaders in Beijing are dancing in the streets," Burritt added.
The United Steelworkers union, which opposed the merger from the outset, praised Biden's decision, with USW President David McCall saying the union has "no doubt that it's the right move for our members and our national security."
White House spokesperson John Kirby defended the decision.
"This isn't about Japan. This is about US steelmaking and keeping one of the largest steel producers in the United States an American-owned company," Kirby said, rejecting suggestions the decision could raise questions about the reliability of the US as a partner. Nippon Steel has previously threatened legal action if the deal was blocked. Lawyers have said Nippon Steel's vow to mount a legal challenge against the US government would be tough.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States spent months reviewing the deal for national security risks but referred the decision to Biden in December, after failing to reach consensus.
It is unclear whether another buyer will emerge. US Steel has reported nine consecutive quarters of falling profits amid a global downturn in the steel industry. US-based Cleveland-Cliffs, which previously bid for the company, has seen its share price fall to the point where its market value is lower than that of US Steel.
Shares of US Steel closed down 6.5% at $30.47 on the New York Stock Exchange.
A spokesperson for President-elect Trump, who also vowed to block the deal, did not immediately comment on Friday.