Egypt, IsDB Sign 13 Agreements, MoUs

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli and Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group Mohamed Al-Jasser witness the signing of 13 agreements yesterday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli and Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group Mohamed Al-Jasser witness the signing of 13 agreements yesterday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt, IsDB Sign 13 Agreements, MoUs

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli and Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group Mohamed Al-Jasser witness the signing of 13 agreements yesterday (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli and Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group Mohamed Al-Jasser witness the signing of 13 agreements yesterday (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt signed 13 agreements and memoranda of understanding with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) on the third day of the 47th annual meetings of the IsDB in Sharm El-Sheikh.

The agreements and MoUs were signed in most economic sectors to confront global challenges that are increasing pressure on developing countries.

One of the most prominent agreements was the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) signing a framework agreement with Egypt worth $6 billion for boosting trade in the country.

Mohamed Abdel Wahed Soleiman, the managing director of Galina, a major producer, and exporter of frozen fruits and vegetables, and Ayman Sejiny, the CEO and General Manager of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector signed an MoU.

The MoU seeks to open new export markets in Egypt.

Another MoU was signed by Sejiny and the chief financial officer (CFO) of financial services provider Sarwa Capital Ayman El-Sawy.

The MoU seeks to develop and increase the issuance of sukuk, or sharia-compliant Islamic bonds, as a financing tool for the private and public sectors.

An MoU was also signed to promote the private sector’s role, issue sukuk, and finance small and medium enterprises in Egypt between the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector represented by its CEO and general manager Ayman Sejiny, and the CEO of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) Egypt Mohamed Aly.

Sejiny also signed an MoU with CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) Mohamed Abbas Fayed to promote the private sector’s role, issue sukuk, and finance small and medium enterprises in the country.

The signing of the agreements was attended by Egypt’s Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli and Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El-Said.

El-Said referred to the orientations of the Egyptian state in the context of the external challenges and shocks facing the countries of the world.

She highlighted Egypt's success in the first phase of its economic reform program.



Black Friday Data Shows US Shoppers Spent $10.8 Bln Online

A woman and a child look at shops in a mall on Black Friday in Arlington, Virginia on November 29, 2024. (AFP)
A woman and a child look at shops in a mall on Black Friday in Arlington, Virginia on November 29, 2024. (AFP)
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Black Friday Data Shows US Shoppers Spent $10.8 Bln Online

A woman and a child look at shops in a mall on Black Friday in Arlington, Virginia on November 29, 2024. (AFP)
A woman and a child look at shops in a mall on Black Friday in Arlington, Virginia on November 29, 2024. (AFP)

US shoppers used their mobile phones, laptops, desktops and other devices to make roughly $10.8 billion in purchases online on Black Friday, an updated tally from Adobe Analytics showed.

Black Friday, the day after American Thanksgiving, marks the official start of the holiday shopping season for retailers and competition has intensified among retailers to win every penny-pinched shopper seeking discounts.

Increased online shopping potentially favors e-commerce giants such as Amazon.com and Walmart. Walmart, which operates 4,700 US stores, has invested heavily in store-to-home deliveries for the holiday season to boost e-commerce.

US spending online on Black Friday rose 10.2%, said Adobe, which keeps track of devices that use its software to help power more than 1 trillion visits to  US retail sites.

Corey Coscioni, 58, said he looked for bargains online as well as in stores on Black Friday, seeking "gifts for everyone: my wife, my daughter, and myself."

Top selling merchandise online included makeup, skincare and haircare products, as well as bluetooth speakers and espresso machines, Adobe said on Saturday.

Online sales of toys rose 622% compared to average daily sales in October, while jewelry sales rose 561% and appliances spiked 476% compared to October, it added.

Department store chains such as Macy's and Kohl's as well as big-box retailer Target could see muted sales this season, which is shorter with only 26 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

In 2023, US shoppers spent $9.8 billion online on Black Friday, and in 2022, they spent $9.1 billion, Adobe said.