
80,000 New Commercial Licenses Issued in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia issued over 80,000 new commercial registrations in Q2 2025, bringing the total number of valid business records in the Kingdom to nearly 1.72 million, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
The spike reflects a broader uptick in business activity across high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain, financial services, gaming, and entertainment, as outlined in the ministry's Q2 Business Sector Bulletin.
This growth aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 agenda, which aims to diversify the economy away from oil and position Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and private sector expansion. The National Transformation Program continues to drive investment in infrastructure, digital transformation, and regulatory reform.
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Daily News Egypt
4 hours ago
- Daily News Egypt
NBE signs $50m agreement with Arab Fund to boost MSME financing
The National Bank of Egypt (NBE) has signed a $50m financing agreement with the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, marking the Fund's first partnership with Egypt's private sector. The agreement aims to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and enhance the NBE's ability to finance entrepreneurs and business owners, with a particular focus on fostering sustainable economic growth, job creation, and financial inclusion—especially in underserved areas. The agreement was signed by Mohamed El-Etreby, CEO of the National Bank of Egypt, and Bader Al-Saad, Director General and Chairperson of the Arab Fund. The financing—equivalent to approximately EGP 2.5bn—comes alongside an additional funding package of up to $400m arranged by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), reflecting the international community's confidence in the National Bank of Egypt's developmental role. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, stated that from 2020 to mid-2025, the ministry has successfully secured over $15.6bn in concessional development finance for Egypt's private sector, through partnerships with regional and international financial institutions. This, she explained, reflects a clear national vision to empower the private sector as a cornerstone of sustainable development by broadening access to concessional finance and deepening cooperation with development finance institutions. She added that the new partnership with the Arab Fund signals a strategic move to channel greater development financing towards the private sector, in support of national priorities including job creation and women's economic empowerment. El-Etreby said the partnership marks a strategic milestone in the bank's efforts to support the Egyptian economy, bolstering the NBE's capacity to finance MSMEs and empower entrepreneurs in line with the Central Bank of Egypt's objectives and Egypt's Vision 2030 for sustainable development. He noted that the bank looks forward to expanding cooperation with Arab and international financial institutions to promote inclusive and sustainable development. The new funds will be channelled into projects across both urban and rural areas through the bank's nationwide network of nearly 700 branches and supported by a diverse package of programmes aimed at strengthening high value-added productive sectors that advance economic diversification. Bader Al-Saad highlighted that the agreement represents a new direction in the Arab Fund's strategy, marking an institutional pivot towards private sector financing after decades of focusing solely on the public sector. This shift, he explained, is designed to maximise development impact and deepen partnerships with local institutions capable of effectively deploying funds towards clear developmental objectives. He emphasised that the private sector is a critical engine of economic growth and job creation, particularly in large and promising economies such as Egypt's. This agreement with the National Bank of Egypt—one of the country's most trusted and widely represented banking institutions—underscores the Arab Fund's commitment to inclusive growth, women's empowerment, and expanding access to finance for small businesses.


Tahya Masr
3 days ago
- Tahya Masr
Crédit Agricole Egypt and Infinity Join Forces to Accelerate Transition to Solar Energy
Crédit Agricole Egypt has entered into a partnership with Infinity to accelerate the transition to solar energy for individuals by making clean energy solutions more accessible and affordable. The signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Jean-Pierre Trinelle, Managing Director of Crédit Agricole Egypt, and Mr. Ashraf El Bishry, General Manager of Infinity, along with senior representatives from both entities. Through this partnership, Infinity's customers will have access to Crédit Agricole Egypt's solar loan—a tailored financing solution offering preferential interest rates and repayment terms up to seven years. The loan enables individuals to invest in a range of solar products —including solar home solutions for residential clients — effectively reducing financial barriers and encouraging the adoption of sustainable energy systems. This agreement aims to raise awareness about the environmental and economic benefits of solar energy, empowering individuals to make more eco-conscious decisions and contribute to a greener future. It also aligns with Egypt's Vision 2030 and the Central Bank of Egypt's sustainable finance principles, reinforcing broader efforts to embed ESG principles into financial practices, diversify the energy mix, and reduce carbon emissions. Jean-Pierre Trinelle, Managing Director of Crédit Agricole Egypt said: 'At Crédit Agricole, sustainability is central to our mission, and we are committed to carbon neutrality by 2050 for both our own operations & financed emissions. Through this partnership, CAE continues to reflect its customer-centric approach by offering accessible green financing solutions tailored to meet our customers' evolving needs. By combining our financial expertise with Infinity's leadership in solar energy technology, we are expanding our impact, and advancing our long-term commitment to the energy transition.' Nevine Shokry, Head of proximity Banking of Crédit Agricole Egypt added: 'At Crédit Agricole Egypt, our green finance solutions reflect our commitment to helping customers take meaningful steps towards sustainability. This collaboration with Infinity embodies our shared belief that real success lies in empowering individuals, supporting communities, and protecting our planet.' Commenting on the strategic partnership, Mohamed Ismail Mansour, Co-Founder and CEO of Infinity, said: "At Infinity, we are committed to supporting the widespread adoption of clean, renewable energy solutions that can positively impact people's lives and the environment. This partnership with Crédit Agricole Egypt is an important step in making solar energy more accessible to households across the country. By combining financial innovation with practical, scalable technology, we are enabling individuals to become active participants in Egypt's clean energy future." Eng. Nayer Fouad, Co-Founder and CEO of Infinity, further added: "This collaboration reflects our mission to deliver real, tangible solutions that support Egypt's clean energy goals. By working alongside a trusted partner like Crédit Agricole Egypt, we are not only making renewable energy more attainable but also fostering greater awareness around the benefits of solar adoption at the individual and household levels. It's another milestone in our journey to drive long-term environmental and economic value.' Infinity, established in 2014, is Egypt's leading provider of renewable energy solutions, delivering clean power solutions across all sectors and scales. The company develops, finances, and operates utility-scale and decentralized solar projects. Infinity is the largest Egyptian contributor to the Benban Solar Park, Africa's largest photovoltaic power station, with an estimated capacity of 1,465 MW. Since 2018, Infinity has also built the largest and fastest-growing EV charging network in Egypt, with more than 700 charging points across 16 governorates. Backed by institutional shareholders such as Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Infinity is positioned at the forefront of Egypt and Africa's energy transition journey . Crédit Agricole Egypt is a subsidiary of the Crédit Agricole Group, one of the largest banks worldwide, and is the sole French bank operating in Egypt. Established in 2006, Crédit Agricole Egypt has become an active player in Egypt's financial industry, serving around 500,000 individual, SME, and corporate clients. The bank offers a comprehensive range of banking products & services, as well as state-of-the-art digital banking solutions. Crédit Agricole Egypt's key goal is customer satisfaction, by valuing and prioritizing their best interests. Demonstrating its strong commitment to sustainability, Crédit Agricole Egypt was the first bank in Egypt and North Africa to receive the prestigious Platinum LEED certification for its head office in recognition of its environmentally responsible design, which incorporates a solar panel station that helps reduce CO₂ emissions. Further advancing the green transition, Crédit Agricole Egypt has signed a facility agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) under the Green Energy Finance Facility (GEFF) and the Global Climate Fund (GCF), to support businesses investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects'


See - Sada Elbalad
3 days ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
PM: 80% of Workforce at El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant "Egyptian"
Taarek Refaat Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly visited the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant construction site on Wednesday, where he confirmed that Egyptian workers now make up more than 80% of the workforce. The announcement reflects the government's growing emphasis on domestic capacity building in one of the most technically advanced infrastructure projects in the nation's history. Accompanied by the Ministers of Electricity and Renewable Energy and Finance, as well as senior officials from the Russian contractor Atomstroyexport and Egypt's Nuclear Power Plants Authority, the Prime Minister marked the occasion by commemorating the 73rd anniversary of Egypt's 1952 revolution. "This site holds deep national significance," Madbouly said. "It has been a dream of Egyptians since the mid-20th century—to see Egypt enter the nuclear era through peaceful energy production." The El-Dabaa project, located on Egypt's northern Mediterranean coast, remained a long-standing aspiration for decades, appearing in school curricula and state planning documents. According to Madbouly, the dream began to turn into action in 2015 with the signing of the initial agreement between Egypt and Russia. Construction officially began in December 2017. The plant will consist of four nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of 4,800 megawatts. The first unit is expected to be operational in the second half of 2028, with the remaining three units scheduled for completion in 2029. Egypt is adhering to a closely monitored construction schedule, with ongoing collaboration between Egyptian and Russian teams. 'We are witnessing this dream become reality,' Madbouly said. 'This is a source of pride for every Egyptian.' The Prime Minister emphasized that more than 80% of the thousands of workers currently on-site are Egyptian, highlighting the nation's growing expertise in large-scale engineering and energy projects. "This is a matter of national pride. Seeing tens of thousands of Egyptian engineers and workers trusted to build such a complex project reflects our true capabilities," he added. The El-Dabaa project plays a key role in Egypt's Vision 2030, which targets a 42% share of electricity generation from renewable and clean energy sources. Nuclear energy is viewed as a critical pillar of this transition. Madbouly concluded his remarks by thanking all partners and agencies involved, expressing confidence in Egypt's ability to deliver on time and within scope. 'We are not just building a power plant—we are building a future powered by knowledge, sovereignty, and clean energy,' he said. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks