
Egypt net int'l reserves jump to $47.4 bln by end of February: CBE - Economy
The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) announced Tuesday that the country's net international reserves (NIRs) climbed to $47.4 billion at the end of February, up from $47.26 billion in January.
This marks the highest reserve level recorded since data tracking began in 1992, continuing a steady upward trend since September 2022.
NIRs, which encompass foreign currencies, gold, and other financial assets after deducting foreign liabilities, are a crucial measure of a nation's ability to meet international financial commitments.
They provide vital support for stabilizing the national currency, funding imports, and servicing external debt during economic uncertainty.
This latest increase follows a consistent rise in reserves over recent months. In December 2024, NIRs reached a record $47.1 billion, a $157 million increase from November.
Egypt's foreign exchange reserves grew by $11.9 billion year-on-year in 2024, significantly surpassing the $35.22 billion recorded in December 2023.
The International Monetary Fund's (IMF) third review of Egypt's financial programme projected further growth, anticipating NIRs would climb to $66.5 billion by FY2028/2029.
Egypt has also strengthened its financial position through major funding agreements, including securing $57 billion in financial packages from international institutions and development partners.
Furthermore, Egypt finalized a $35 billion deal for the Ras El-Hekma project in 2024, marking its most significant foreign direct investment (FDI) in history.
The country also received the third tranche of its $8 billion IMF loan in July 2024 and a 1 billion euro payment in March as part of its 7.4 billion euro agreement with the European Union.
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
Whatsapp
Short link:

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


See - Sada Elbalad
3 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt Receives First Domestically Built ASD Tugboat 'Ras El-Hekma
H-Tayea As part of Egypt's ongoing efforts to localize military industrial capabilities and strengthen naval operational readiness, the Egyptian Navy has officially taken delivery of its first Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugboat, named Ras El-Hekma. The vessel is the first of three ASD tugboats being built at the Alexandria Shipyard in collaboration with the French classification society Bureau Veritas (BV). The handover ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral Ashraf Atwa, Commander of the Egyptian Navy and Chairman of the Marine Industries and Services Authority, along with senior naval officials and representatives from global marine equipment suppliers. The Ras El-Hekma tugboat is of the RAstar 3200 class, known for its high-performance capabilities, including a competitive cost, enhanced maneuverability, and a powerful bollard pull capacity of 85 tons. The vessel is outfitted with state-of-the-art systems from leading international marine technology companies. This delivery marks a significant milestone in Egypt's naval industrial development. Alexandria Shipyard aims to position itself as a regional hub for the production of ASD tugboats, with ambitions to expand into global markets in the coming years. The initiative is part of a broader strategic directive by Egypt's political and military leadership to modernize the armed forces and promote local defense manufacturing. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream


Al-Ahram Weekly
3 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt's Navy receives first locally built Azimuth tugboat "Ras El-Hekma" from Alexandria Shipyard - Defence
The Egyptian Navy received its first locally built Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) tugboat, Ras El-Hekma, from Alexandria Shipyard on Thursday, the Egyptian Armed Forces announced. According to the Egyptian army, the tugboat is the first of three being constructed for the Navy under a contract between the Navy and Alexandria Shipyard, in cooperation with the French classification society Bureau Veritas (BV). The Ras El-Hekma tugboat (RASTR 3200 model) is competitive in price and has a powerful 85-ton bollard pull capacity and exceptional manoeuvrability. It is equipped with systems from top global maritime suppliers. This is the first time Egypt's marine industry has produced this model of tugboats. In manufacturing it, Alexandria Shipyard aims to enter the global tugboat market and aspires to become a regional hub for building and exporting this class of tugboats in the coming phase. Vice Admiral Ashraf Atwa, Commander of the Egyptian Navy and Chairman of the Marine Industries and Services Authority, attended the handover ceremony. In addition, Rear Admiral Hossam El-Din Ezzat, Chairman of Alexandria Shipyard, senior Navy officials, BV representatives, and delegates from leading international maritime companies attended the event. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:


See - Sada Elbalad
5 hours ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
IMF, AUC Wrap Up 1st MENA Economic Research Conference: Steering Macroeconomic, Structural Policies in a Shifting Global Economic Landscape
Nada Mustafa Following two days of high-level dialogue and expert analysis, the inaugural IMF MENA Economic Annual Research Conference co-organized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the American University in Cairo (AUC), concluded with a strong call for coordinated, evidence-based policy responses to the region's old and new pressing economic challenges. Held on May 18–19, 2025, the conference served as a critical platform for advancing rigorous research tailored to the realities of the Middle East and North Africa. It brought together global policymakers, academics, government officials and thought leaders to bridge the discussion on global economic issues with regional realities. The event marked a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the IMF and a leading University in the region, reflecting a shared commitment to deepening the link between academic research and policy development. Jihad Azour, director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia Department, noted that that trade tensions and increasing uncertainty affecting the global economy, alongside ongoing regional conflicts and climate risks, are creating new layers of complexities for MENA policymakers. Azour called for building a regional platform for dialogue and exchange of ideas that connects MENA to world-class research centers to provide reliable analysis and develop workable and innovative policy responses to old and new economic issues facing the region. 'We are deeply grateful to President Ahmad Dallal and AUC for their commitment to fostering dialogue, research, and policy innovation in the region.' AUC President Ahmad Dallal highlighted the event's role as a vital platform in fostering collaboration between governments, academia and the private sector. "This is about generating ideas that are globally informed but deeply rooted in the realities of our region," he noted. Dallal affirmed that this type of multi-stakeholder engagement is at the heart of AUC's mission and reflects the University's commitment to research, education, and open dialogue as drivers of stability, resilience, and inclusive growth. Under the theme 'Steering Macroeconomic and Structural Policies in a Shifting Global Economic Landscape,' discussions centered on four pivotal issues shaping the future of the MENA region and the global economy: • Fiscal Policy: With public debt at historic highs, experts stressed the importance of rebuilding fiscal buffers while tackling social inequalities, aging populations, and climate pressures. Proposals included reforms in fiscal frameworks and measures to mobilize revenues, including through multinational taxation and more progressive tax systems. • Monetary Policy: Participants reflected on the lessons of recent inflationary shocks, emphasizing the need for more preemptive and well-communicated policy responses to global shocks and sector-specific disruptions, particularly for emerging markets. • Industrial Policy: Speakers examined the renewed interest in industrial policy as a tool to drive inclusive growth, innovation, and climate resilience. The discussion highlighted the need to balance vertical strategies with horizontal reforms that promote private investment, trade integration, and productivity. • Green Transition and AI: The intersection of climate action and digital transformation sparked debate about their potential to reshape labor markets. Recommendations included investing in human capital, developing targeted safety nets, and aligning policy tools to support job creation in low-emission sectors. Throughout the sessions, there was a clear consensus that the MENA region's economic resilience depends on institutional reforms, cross-border cooperation, and investment in skills and innovation. Participants also underscored the importance of embedding policy in local realities—an approach that both the IMF and AUC pledged to champion moving forward. In addition to prominent global and regional academics, as well as economists and government officials from across the region, and representatives of international and regional organizations, the conference brought together policymakers, including Rania El Mashat, minister of planning, economic development and international cooperation, Egypt; Youssef Boutros-Ghali, member of the Specialized Council for Economic Development, Egypt; Mahmoud Mohieldin, United Nations special envoy on financing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda; and Martin Galstyan, governor of the Central Bank of Armenia. As Nigel Clarke, IMF deputy managing director concluded, "This conference is a milestone demonstrating the IMF's commitment to deepening engagement with the research and academic community, as we strive to ensure that the IMF support is not only responsive to the needs of member countries, but also built on rigorous tested analytics and importantly, it's aligned with local realities. Through this kind of multi-stakeholder dialogue, we aim to better understand how all our expertise and resources can be directed towards the most pressing challenges of the region.' read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream