Egypt Economy

Egypt has long been central to the development of the MENA region. As a major centre of cultural output and political thought, the country continues to be a key influence within the Arab world. While the oil riches of the Gulf have changed the equation somewhat in recent decades, Egypt still remains one of the most significant actors in the...

Business leaders in Egypt remain bullish about the country’s economic prospects, with 95% of those interviewed in the OBG Business Barometer: Egypt CEO survey indicating that they have positive or very positive expectations of local business conditions in the coming 12 months. Confidence can be partly attributed to the sustained reform momentum,...

Since 2000, half of the world’s fastest growing economies have been in Africa, and 21 out of 30 of the world’s fastest-growing cities are now in Africa. Due to an expanding middle class, Africa’s potential has been increasingly attractive for both African and international investors alike, with GDP growth on the continent expected to average 4...

While Egypt has long looked internationally to build alliances and win favour, the country’s immediate neighbourhood is becoming an increasingly important source of support. As the oil-rich states of the Gulf become more politically assertive, Egypt is navigating this new regional reality. At the same time, however, the MENA region is still...

The economy notably improved in FY 2016/17, with GDP growth averaging 4.6% in the second half of the period – the fastest expansion since FY 2009/10, according to the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE).

ETIQUETTE: It is integral to Egyptian culture to be courteous to foreigners. A conversation, whether business-related or not, is usually accompanied by coffee, tea or juice. Social rules dictate the appropriate way to greet people in business meetings. Close friends of the same sex will sometimes...