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Egypt Inflation Jumps to Five-year High in November

Two Egyptian women shopping in the streets of Cairo (EPA)
Two Egyptian women shopping in the streets of Cairo (EPA)
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Egypt Inflation Jumps to Five-year High in November

Two Egyptian women shopping in the streets of Cairo (EPA)
Two Egyptian women shopping in the streets of Cairo (EPA)

Egypt's annual urban consumer inflation rate rose from 16.2 percent in October to 18.7 percent in November, the country's Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) said Thursday.

The inflation hike in November marks the highest increase since December 2017, when it reached 21.9 percent.

Egypt's annual headline inflation rate rose to 19.2 percent in November 2022, compared to 16.3 percent in the previous month.

On a monthly basis, the agency said that the general consumer price index for the total republic increased by 2.5 percent in November from October.

CAPMAS attributed the annual increase in the inflation rate for the entire republic to the increase in prices in sectors, foremost of which were: Food and beverages 30.9 percent, health care 12.4 percent, transport, and communications 16.6 percent, culture and entertainment sector 32.2 percent, and restaurants and hotels sector 30.1 percent.

In a press conference following the Cabinet's weekly meeting in the New Administrative Capital, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said that there is a plan to provide hard currency and it will run on the short term until 30 June 2023.

The premier did not give further details of the plan, saying that some of the state's steps must not be announced in advance.

He revealed that the government is aware that there is a rise in prices and it attempts to alleviate the burden placed on the shoulders of the citizens.

Madbouly confirmed that the cabinet has set a plan to deal with the increasing prices, highlighting that most of the news spreading on social media “seek to harm the Egyptian economy”.

Meanwhile, the premier said on Wednesday that Egypt attracted about $9 billion in direct investments last year - the highest in 15 years.

“The state ownership policy document was finally approved,” Madbouli announced, stating that the government will be committed to implementing the state ownership policy document over the next three or five years.

He added that the investor, who wishes to obtain the golden license, applies directly to the Cabinet to shorten the distance and procedures.

Madbouly further announced that a committee has been formed to tackle the investors’ difficulties, noting that several measures and reforms were made to enhance the investment climate.

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Ships Warned to Avoid Red Sea, Log Hormuz Voyages after Israel Hits Iran

A military aircraft flies in the sky following a barrage of missiles launched from Iran, as seen over Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 14, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta
A military aircraft flies in the sky following a barrage of missiles launched from Iran, as seen over Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 14, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta
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Ships Warned to Avoid Red Sea, Log Hormuz Voyages after Israel Hits Iran

A military aircraft flies in the sky following a barrage of missiles launched from Iran, as seen over Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 14, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta
A military aircraft flies in the sky following a barrage of missiles launched from Iran, as seen over Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 14, 2025. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta

Merchant shipping is continuing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite Israel's attacks on Iran on Friday, the multinational, US-led Combined Maritime Force said, although some shipowners were looking to avoid the region.

Iran has in the past threatened to close the critical Strait of Hormuz to traffic in retaliation for Western pressure. Any closure of the Strait could restrict trade and impact global oil prices.

"The Strait of Hormuz remains open and commercial traffic continues to flow uninterrupted," the Combined Maritime Force said in advisory, adding that events over the past day had increased the likelihood of regional conflict to "significant".

Greece and Britain have advised their merchant shipping fleets to avoid sailing through the Gulf of Aden and to log all voyages through the Strait of Hormuz following Israel's attacks on Iran, documents seen by Reuters showed.

"We have reports that more ship owners are now exercising extra caution and are opting to stay away from the Red Sea” and the Arabian Gulf, said Jakob Larsen, chief safety & security officer with shipping association BIMCO.

If the United States is perceived to be involved in any attacks, "the risk of escalation increases significantly", Larsen said. "Such an escalation could include missile attacks on ships or laying of sea mines in the Strait (of Hormuz)."

Israel said it had targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders during the start of a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon. Iran denies having any such plan.

"Hormuz is a critical waterway, without alternative, for tanker trades and any impediment or threat to free movement of shipping would have a significant effect upon the world’s economy," tanker shipping association INTERTANKO said.

Greek ship owners were urged to send details of their vessels sailing through the Strait of Hormuz to Greece’s maritime ministry, according to one of the documents issued by Greece's shipping association, which was sent on Friday. Greek owners control the world's biggest tanker fleet.

"Due to developments in the Middle East and the escalation of military actions in the wider region, the (Greek) Ministry of Shipping ... urgently calls on shipping companies to send ... the details of Greek-owned ships that are sailing in the maritime area of the Strait of Hormuz," the document said.

All UK-flagged vessels, which include the Gibraltar, Bermuda and Isle of Man 'red ensign' registries, were advised to avoid sailing through the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, a separate document issued by the UK's transport ministry said.

If sailing through those areas, vessels must adhere to their highest level of security measures and limit the number of crew on deck during voyages, said the advisory, seen by Reuters.

The European Union's naval mission in the Red Sea, Aspides, is continuing operations as normal but is monitoring developments in the region, an Aspides official told Reuters.