Egypt’s Trade Balance Deficit Drops 28.7% in July

 Containers at an Egyptian port. (Reuters)
Containers at an Egyptian port. (Reuters)
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Egypt’s Trade Balance Deficit Drops 28.7% in July

 Containers at an Egyptian port. (Reuters)
Containers at an Egyptian port. (Reuters)

Egypt’s trade deficit declined by 28.7% year-on-year (YoY) in July, according to data released on Tuesday by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS).

The monthly bulletin revealed that the deficit value of trade balance reached $2.7 billion in July, down from $3.8 billion for the same month of the previous year.

The country’s exports increased by 2.2% YoY in July to $3.13 billion, versus $3.07 billion for the same month of the previous year.

The value of imports decreased by 14.8% to $5.81 billion during July 2022, versus 6.82 billion in July 2021.

Separately, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates announced organizing a ceremony under the slogan “UAE and Egypt… One Heart.”

The three-day event will be held at the Egyptian capital Cairo in celebration of the 50th anniversary of UAE- Egypt ties and brotherly relations.

Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said his country is keen to underline depth of the strategic ties with the UAE and highlight the distinguished relation that brings both countries together.

He further underscored the cooperation between the two governments, as well as the political understanding and unified vision between the two countries’ leaderships.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has issued a directive to bolster cooperation frameworks between the two countries, the Premier added.

He said the government looks forward to welcoming the Emiratis at the celebrations.

“We reviewed during the cabinet meeting 50 years of distinguished and stable Emirati-Egyptian relations, which were sponsored by the president of the Egyptian state,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai said on Tuesday.

“In celebration and consolidation of these exceptional brotherly Arab ties spanning 50 years, we have directed the organization of special celebrations.”

Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala al-Said underscored the depth of Egyptian-Emirati relations in a range of political and economic areas, in addition to investment cooperation.



New Saudi System to Sustain Insurance Funds, Enhance Job Market Efficiency

Part of the job fair at the Chamber of Commerce in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Part of the job fair at the Chamber of Commerce in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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New Saudi System to Sustain Insurance Funds, Enhance Job Market Efficiency

Part of the job fair at the Chamber of Commerce in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Part of the job fair at the Chamber of Commerce in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet, led by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, approved a new social insurance system for new workers during its session on Tuesday.
This move aims to boost labor market efficiency, ensure the sustainability of insurance funds, and support local talent stability. The Kingdom is gearing up for large-scale economic projects that require ongoing updates to meet national goals.
The government aims for a sustainable and fair retirement system, improving laws and regulations.
Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Al-Ibrahim previously highlighted Saudi Arabia’s proactive approach to managing rising workforce rates and their retirement implications.
Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi affirmed that the Cabinet’s decision enhances retirement system efficiency and provides insurance protection for participants and their families, adapting to labor market changes.
Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan stressed the decision's goal to secure insurance coverage for participants while ensuring the sustainability of insurance funds and protecting beneficiaries' rights, thereby promoting economic and social stability.
Moreover, the Cabinet has decided to maintain current provisions of the civil retirement and social insurance systems for current participants, excluding those nearing retirement age and specific groups qualifying for pensions.
The General Organization for Social Insurance clarified that the new system applies only to newly employed civilians in both public and private sectors without prior contributions to either retirement or current social insurance systems.
Existing participants will continue under current rules, except for changes related to retirement age and qualifying periods for pensions for those with less than 20 years of contributions and under 50 lunar years old at the time of the amendments.
The retirement age for covered groups will gradually increase from 58 to 65 years, starting 4 months beyond the current retirement age, based on the participant's age when the amendments take effect.
The current retirement and insurance systems will remain unchanged for participants aged 50 and above or with 20 or more years of contributions at the time of the amendments.
For new labor market entrants, the new system facilitates job mobility between public and private sectors, with contribution rates gradually increasing by 0.5% annually over 4 years, starting from the second year.