Egypt Sets Customs Exchange Rate of 19.32 Pounds/US Dollar

Annual inflation in Egypt is at its highest level in nearly four years (AFP)
Annual inflation in Egypt is at its highest level in nearly four years (AFP)
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Egypt Sets Customs Exchange Rate of 19.32 Pounds/US Dollar

Annual inflation in Egypt is at its highest level in nearly four years (AFP)
Annual inflation in Egypt is at its highest level in nearly four years (AFP)

Egypt has set a customs exchange rate of 19.318 Egyptian pounds to the US dollar from Sept., a change from 18.64 pounds in June, state newspaper Akhbar al-Youm reported on Thursday citing the customs authority.

Egypt devalued its pound by 14 percent in March after foreign investors pulled billions of dollars out of Egyptian treasury markets, putting pressure on the currency, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Since then, Egypt’s Suez Canal announced revenues of $744.8 million in August and the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) witnessed a weekly increase of 3.3 percent.

In March, the IMF announced that Egypt had requested a new financial support program, but in July said the country needed to make “decisive progress” on fiscal and structural reform.

The benchmark ended weekly trading at 10265.35 points, compared to 9936.87 points last week. Its gains ranged between 0.3 percent and 1.8 percent in four sessions during the week’s five sessions. Losses amounted to 0.9 percent.

The EGX ended Thursday’s session at a 0.32 percent increase.

In August, Egypt recorded the highest level of inflation in Egypt’s cities since November 2018, when the figures reached 15.7 percent.

Consumer prices climbed 14.6 percent from a year earlier in August, versus 13.6 percent the previous month, the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics said Thursday.

The annual inflation rate in the North African country rose to 15.3 percent.

The central bank has an inflation target rate of 5 percent to 9 percent but said in June that it would tolerate a higher level during the coming months.



SAMA: Saudi Arabia Unites Regional Efforts to Combat Money Laundering

A group photo during the MENAFATF conference in Riyadh (X)
A group photo during the MENAFATF conference in Riyadh (X)
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SAMA: Saudi Arabia Unites Regional Efforts to Combat Money Laundering

A group photo during the MENAFATF conference in Riyadh (X)
A group photo during the MENAFATF conference in Riyadh (X)

Governor of the Saudi Central Bank Ayman Al-Sayari reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to unifying regional efforts to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and the proliferation of weapons, as well as addressing challenges faced by all nations in these areas.

Al-Sayari was speaking on Tuesday during the opening of the conference “Latest Developments in Combating Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Weapons Proliferation,” held on the sidelines of the 39th General Meeting of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF).

He highlighted the 20th anniversary of MENAFATF’s establishment, praising its role in raising awareness and deepening understanding of international requirements across the region, which he said has helped relevant agencies in member states strengthen their compliance with global standards.

Al-Sayari commended the efforts of Saudi authorities, particularly through specialized permanent committees, to enhance the effectiveness of anti-money laundering measures and improve the Kingdom’s adherence to international obligations.

He emphasized that as money laundering, terrorist financing, and weapons proliferation crimes continue to evolve rapidly, with increasingly complex methods, countries are striving to update their legislative and regulatory frameworks to keep pace with these changes.

Al-Sayari also underscored Saudi Arabia’s support for the goals of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) under Mexico’s presidency, aimed at combating financial flows that fuel money laundering and terrorism. These efforts, he stressed, contribute to the integrity, stability, and sustainable growth of the global economy.

Saudi Arabia actively participates in FATF discussions to ensure that cross-border transactions are more efficient, transparent, and inclusive, while maintaining compliance with due diligence requirements and other necessary safeguards.

Separately, Al-Sayari held discussions with FATF President Elisa de Anda Madrazo on key updates and mutual areas of interest in combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and weapons proliferation.