Egypt Finance Ministry Stresses Flexibility in Handling Global Economic Changes

In this file a man counts Egyptian pound banknotes at a currency exchange shop in downtown Cairo on November 3, 2016. (AFP)
In this file a man counts Egyptian pound banknotes at a currency exchange shop in downtown Cairo on November 3, 2016. (AFP)
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Egypt Finance Ministry Stresses Flexibility in Handling Global Economic Changes

In this file a man counts Egyptian pound banknotes at a currency exchange shop in downtown Cairo on November 3, 2016. (AFP)
In this file a man counts Egyptian pound banknotes at a currency exchange shop in downtown Cairo on November 3, 2016. (AFP)

Egypt’s Finance Minister Mohammed Maait stressed that his country was capable of handling with flexibility the rapid global economic changes that are directly impacting consumers and public policies.

He made his remarks on Saturday while presenting the performance indicators for 2021/2022, saying Egypt was one of the few countries that achieved a surplus of 1.3 percent last year compared to other emerging countries that achieved a preliminary deficit of 4.7 percent.

“This reflects our ability to flexibly adapt to global economic changes while maintaining a safe economic path,” he remarked.

The minister met with the British Ambassador to Cairo, Gareth Bailey.

Maait expressed Egypt’s interest in boosting the decades-long cooperation in manufacturing currency.

This will benefit Egypt’s future ambitions and bolster its ability to meet local and regional market demands.

For his part Bailey, said his country supports Egypt's development efforts in various fields so that it can meet the needs of its citizens and improve their living standards and services.

The ambassador expressed the desire to explore opportunities for cooperation in the field of coinage between the two countries' mints in a way that benefits their mutual interests and enhances their partnership.



Gold Hits Record High

FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
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Gold Hits Record High

FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo

Gold prices charged to an all-time high on Thursday as expectations of more US Federal Reserve rate cuts and uncertainty over the US presidential election boosted demand for bullion, while traders awaited US economic data.
Spot gold rose 0.2% to $2,678.13 per ounce by 0934 GMT, after hitting a record high of $2,685.60, Reuters reported.
US gold futures gained 0.1% to $2,693.60.
"With the US election less than three weeks away, market caution is likely to remain a key theme. Given the tight race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, this adds another layer of uncertainty – stimulating demand for safe haven assets," said FXTM senior research analyst Lukman Otunuga.
Gold has added over 30% so far this year, with a record-breaking rally driven by expectations that the Fed will further cut rates this year after a jumbo reduction last month and on the ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
The European Central Bank is also expected to make its first back-to-back rate cut in 13 years later in the day.
Lower interest rates and geopolitical tensions tend to boost bullion, which is considered a safe asset and yields no interest.
"The LBMA poll that came out from Miami earlier in the week, where the base look for gold prices was to rally near $3,000 in the next year and silver doing even better, I think that potential is also just attracting a bit of attention," said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.
The price of gold is expected to rise to $2,941, a troy ounce over the next 12 months from the current $2,661, delegates to the London Bullion Market Association's annual gathering predicted earlier this week.
Traders are on the lookout for the US retail sales and industrial production data for September and weekly jobless claims data due later in the day.
"A set of disappointing US data may fuel bets around Fed rate cuts," Otunuga added.
Elsewhere, spot silver fell 0.3% to $31.57 per ounce. Platinum rose 0.6% to $999.20 and palladium fell 0.4% to $1,019.56.