
Egypt's Ora Developers breaks ground for Ali-Wardi project in Iraq
Al-Wardi city comprises 100,000 houses and will be constructed by Ora Developers, owned by Egyptian tycoon Naguib Sawiris, the official Iraqi news agency reported.
Construction and Housing Minister Benkin Rikani laid the foundation stone for the project, which has an area of nearly 60 square kilometres.
'This is one of the largest housing projects in Iraq…it also includes schools, universities, hospitals, shops and recreation facilities,' Rikani said.
Iraq has awarded several contracts to foreign firms over the past two years for the construction of new cities within a post-war programme to tackle a housing crisis.
Last month, Zawya Projects reported that Egypt-listed TMG in talks with the Iraqi government to build 45,000 houses in the country.
(Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon)
(anoop.menon@lseg.com)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arabian Post
17 hours ago
- Arabian Post
SUNRATE Secures Payment Business Licence In China
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 August 2025 – SUNRATE, the global payment and treasury management platform, today announced it has secured a payment business licence in China following its successful acquisition of a 100% stake in Transfar Pay, a unit of Shenzhen-listed Transfar Group. The RMB 315 million (USD 43.8 million) acquisition has received approval from relevant Chinese regulatory authorities. This transaction had been previously announced by the Transfer Group in an exchange filing dated April 1, 2025. 'This acquisition represents a strategic step in SUNRATE's ongoing commitment to enhancing our global licensing framework and ensuring compliant operations in all jurisdictions, whether through direct licensing or strategic partnerships,' said Paul Meng, co-founder at SUNRATE. With the addition of this licence, SUNRATE gains greater access to one of the world's most important and dynamic markets. This further complements SUNRATE's regulatory presence in key jurisdictions including Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, the United Kingdom, and Indonesia, with further regulatory milestones in other jurisdictions to be announced in due course. ADVERTISEMENT Hashtag: #SUNRATE The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About SUNRATE SUNRATE is a global payment and treasury management platform for businesses worldwide. Since its inception in 2016, SUNRATE has been recognised as a leading solution provider and has enabled companies to operate and scale both locally and globally in 190+ countries and regions with its cutting-edge proprietary platform, extensive global network, and robust APIs. With its global business headquarters in Singapore and offices in Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, and Shanghai, SUNRATE partners with the top global financial institutions, such as Citibank, Standard Chartered, Barclays, J.P. Morgan and is the principal member of both Mastercard and Visa. To learn more about SUNRATE, visit


Gulf Business
21 hours ago
- Gulf Business
EFG Holding posts strong Q2 2025 growth driven by diversified performance
Karim Awad, group CEO, EFG Holding/Image: Supplied EFG Holding, a financial institution with a universal bank in Egypt and the leading investment bank in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), reported a 21 per cent year-on-year (YoY) revenue increase in Q2 2025 to EGP6.1bn, supported by strong results across all business lines—particularly EFG Finance, its non-bank financial institutions (NBFI) platform, and Bank NXT, its commercial bank. Total operating expenses, including provisions and expected credit losses (ECL), rose 22 per cent YoY to EGP4.1bn, driven by higher provisions—mainly in EFG Finance—and increased general and administrative (G&A) costs, while employee expenses remained flat. With revenue growth outpacing expense growth, net operating profit rose 19 per cent YoY and net profit before tax increased 21 per cent YoY. Net profit after tax and minority interest grew 2 per cent YoY to EGP802m. Group CEO Karim Awad said: 'Our second quarter results demonstrate the continued resilience and strength with which EFG Holding operates, supported by its diversified platform and strong geographic footprint. EFG Holding's first half of 2025 has been defined by meaningful milestones and strong momentum. Foremost among these is Valu's listing on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) in June, complemented by Amazon's decision to exercise its Option Agreement with EFG Holding to acquire a direct stake in Valu. The period's financial results highlight the standout performance of EFG Finance, driven by Valu and Bank NXT. Our Asset Management platform continues to expand, with assets under management growing, while the Investment Banking division closed transactions totaling more than $1bn in the quarter.' Business line performance EFG Hermes posted flat revenues at EGP2.7bn, with a 131 per cent YoY increase in combined Holding & Treasury Activities, Brokerage, and Buy Side revenues. Holding & Treasury Activities rebounded to EGP397m from a loss of EGP503m in Q2 2024. Brokerage revenues rose 25 per cent YoY, led by Egypt, Kuwait, and UAE markets. Net profit after tax and minority interest fell 11% YoY to EGP268m, due to lower profitability in the Investment Banking division. EFG Finance revenues surged 66 per cent YoY to EGP1.8bn, driven by broad-based growth. Valu led with a 71 per cent YoY revenue increase, fueled by securitisation gains, higher fees, and a 60% rise in loan issuances to EG4.7bn. Tanmeyah and Corp-Solutions also saw growth, with Leasing's portfolio doubling to EGP17.7bn. Operating expenses jumped 82 per cent YoY to EGP1.2bn due to inflation-driven costs, higher provisions, increased staff costs, and one-time listing expenses. Net profit after tax and minority interest fell 15 per cent YoY to EGP230m, due to higher minority interest after Valu's share distribution and reduced ownership from 95 per cent to 67 per cent. Bank NXT delivered 30 per cent YoY revenue growth to EGP1.6bn, led by higher net interest income and interest-earning assets. Operating expenses rose 23 per cent YoY to EGP694m, offset by a 27 per cent decline in provisions and ECL. Net profit after tax and minority interest jumped 39 per cent YoY to EGP304m. Awad concluded: 'Amid ongoing geopolitical volatility and persistent macroeconomic headwinds, market dynamics across the MENA region remained varied, both in terms of liquidity and overall performance. Nonetheless, the Brokerage business delivered notable growth in total executions, driven primarily by robust activity in Kuwait and the UAE. Bank NXT continued to broaden its portfolio, diligently cultivating a strong base that will underpin future growth and generate lasting value. Anchored by a solid foundation, the firm is well-positioned to adeptly navigate changing market conditions and confidently capitalise on emerging opportunities for the benefit of clients and shareholders alike.'


Zawya
21 hours ago
- Zawya
Egypt set to tender Cairo Metro line 2 upgradation: Report
Egypt plans to launch a tender for upgrading the Cairo Metro line 2 as part of its infrastructure modernisation programme, according to a media report. The 15 billion Egyptian pounds ($309 million) project will be financed by the state-run National Authority for Tunnels, Ashraq Business reported, quoting informed government sources. The project includes installing platform doors, improving station facilities, renovating railway tracks, as well as upgrading elevators and internal drainage systems along the route. Operational since 1996, the Line 2 starts from Shubra El-Kheima in the north to El-Monib in the south, serving over one million passengers daily across 20 stations. The upgrade is expected to take five years to complete after contracts are awarded, the report said. (Reporting by P Deol; Editing by Anoop Menon) (