Egypt, EIB Boost Cooperation to Enhance Private Sector Engagement

Egypt is intensifying its moves to boost the activities of the private sector in the country (Reuters)
Egypt is intensifying its moves to boost the activities of the private sector in the country (Reuters)
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Egypt, EIB Boost Cooperation to Enhance Private Sector Engagement

Egypt is intensifying its moves to boost the activities of the private sector in the country (Reuters)
Egypt is intensifying its moves to boost the activities of the private sector in the country (Reuters)

Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat said that the fruitful cooperation with the European Investment Bank (EIB) is reinforcing joint development efforts and therefore the private sector's growth.

EIB Vice President Gelsomina Vigliotti will be heading on a four-day visit to Egypt to strengthen cooperation with Egyptian public and private partners and discuss future EIB priority investments in many sectors.

This will be Vigliotti’s first high-level visit to Egypt as EIB VP for the Mashreq region since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the last 41 years, the EIB has provided more than €14 billion for energy, water, agriculture, telecom, transport, and private sector investment in Egypt.

Last year, the EIB provided more than €1bn for business, telecom, and transport investment in Egypt.

“The EIB is a key partner for Egypt, and I welcome VP Vigliotti on her first official visit to our country,” said Al-Mashat.

“The EIB and the EU Bank is committed to supporting transformational private and public investment across Egypt, improving access to finance by entrepreneurs and addressing the challenges of a changing climate.

Egypt is the leading country of operation for the EIB outside of Europe. My financial and technical colleagues and I look forward to discussing how to strengthen economic resilience to existing and new challenges and enhancing the impact of future EIB engagement in Egypt,” said Vigliotti.

Mashat also met virtually with Sonja Gibbs, Managing Director and Head of Sustainable Finance for the Institute of International Finance, in the attendance of Wolfgang Engel, General Manager & Chief Representative - Institute of International Finance.

Mashat discussed suggestions for joint cooperation with the Institute, under the framework of Egypt presiding the COP27.



Oil Trims Gains on Dollar Strength, Tight Supplies Provide Support

FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
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Oil Trims Gains on Dollar Strength, Tight Supplies Provide Support

FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo

Oil prices trimmed earlier gains on Wednesday as the dollar strengthened but continued to find support from a tightening of supplies from Russia and other OPEC members and a drop in US crude stocks.

Brent crude was up 21 cents, or 0.27%, at $77.26 a barrel at 1424 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 27 cents, or 0.36%, to $74.52.

Both benchmarks had risen more than 1% earlier in the session, but pared gains on a strengthening US dollar.

"Crude oil took a minor tumble in response to a strengthening dollar following news reports that Trump is considering declaring a national economic emergency to provide legal ground for universal tariffs," added Ole Hansen, analyst at Saxo Bank.

A stronger dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies.

"The drop (in oil prices) seems to be driven by a general shift in risk sentiment with European equity markets falling and the USD getting stronger," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Oil output from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries fell in December after two months of increases, a Reuters survey showed.

In Russia, oil output averaged 8.971 million barrels a day in December, below the country's target, Bloomberg reported citing the energy ministry.

US crude oil stocks fell last week while fuel inventories rose, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

Despite the unexpected draw in crude stocks, the significant rise in product inventories was putting those prices under pressure, PVM analyst Tamas Varga said.

Analysts expect oil prices to be on average down this year from 2024 due in part to production increases from non-OPEC countries.

"We are holding to our forecast for Brent crude to average $76/bbl in 2025, down from an average of $80/bbl in 2024," BMI, a division of Fitch Group, said in a client note.