Egypt Seeks Via ‘Nafeza’ to Boost Ports’ Performance

Egypt's Finance Minister Mohamed Maait (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egypt's Finance Minister Mohamed Maait (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt Seeks Via ‘Nafeza’ to Boost Ports’ Performance

Egypt's Finance Minister Mohamed Maait (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Egypt's Finance Minister Mohamed Maait (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt’s Finance Minister Mohamed Maait said his country is advancing in the optimal use of modern technology to ensure the speedy and accurate implementation of projects.

This comes in line with efforts to lay the foundations for a more advanced digital work environment and governance based on linking all ports to the National Single Window for Foreign Trade, Nafeza, and the newly developed logistic centers.

Cairo has also been seeking to implement the Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system to localize distinguished global expertise and reduce the customs release time, cost of the import and export process, and real-time monitoring of Egyptian imports and exports.

Maait’s remarks were made in a press statement issued by his ministry on Saturday, in which he reviewed a report on the customs’ performance during Eid al-Adha holiday.

He said these efforts will contribute to maintaining the prices of goods and services as much as possible and protecting local markets from inferior and non-conforming goods, noting that the main target is for ports to be used as transit gates only not as warehouses.

Maait underlined the importance of taking all measures for local and foreign investments to help maximize local production, enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian products in global markets, and facilitate trade movement.

He further underscored the need to improve Egypt’s ranking in three major international indicators, namely “global competitiveness, doing business, and the macroeconomic environment.”



Saudi Minister of Finance Approves 2025 Annual Borrowing Plan

A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Minister of Finance Approves 2025 Annual Borrowing Plan

A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A night view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Abdullah Al-Jadaan approved on Sunday the Annual Borrowing Plan for the fiscal year 2025, following its endorsement by the Board of Directors of the National Debt Management Center.

The plan highlights key developments in public debt for 2024, initiatives related to local debt markets, and the funding plan and its guiding principles for 2025, in addition to the 2025 issuances’ calendar for the Local Saudi Sukuk Issuance Program in Saudi Riyal.

According to the plan, the projected funding needs for 2025 are estimated at approximately SAR139 billion. The amount is intended to cover the anticipated budget deficit of SAR101 billion for the fiscal year 2025, as outlined in the Ministry of Finance’s Official Budget Statement, and the principals’ repayment of the debts maturing in the current year, 2025, amounting to approximately SAR38 billion.

To boost the sustainability of the Kingdom's access to various debt markets and broaden the investor base, Saudi Arabia aims in 2025 to continue diversifying local and international financing channels to efficiently meet funding needs.

This will be achieved through the issuance of sovereign debt instruments at fair pricing, guided by well-defined and robust risk management frameworks.

Additionally, the Kingdom plans to benefit from market opportunities by executing private transactions that can promote economic growth, such as export credit agency financing, infrastructure development project financing, capital expenditure (CAPEX) financing, and exploring tapping into new markets and currencies based on market conditions.