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 greet with a kiss on each cheek, although a handshake is also common. While it is inadvisable to drink…
Egypt is at the geographic centre of the MENA region, with a well-documented history that has seen it accumulate knowledge and wealth over millennia. It has leveraged the fertile soils of the Nile Delta and its location along global trade routes through the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, as well as the strategically important Suez Canal, completed in the mid-19th century. This varied history, straddling…
Egypt’s economy proved resilient during the Covid-19 pandemic, supported by structural changes associated with an ambitious economic reform programme in the years leading up to the crisis. The country was the only one in the MENA region to record positive GDP growth in 2020, reflective of the government’s emphasis on facilitating business continuity and targeting social support with health measures…
While many countries with desert climates struggle to establish strong agriculture sectors, it is a critical and successful pillar of Egypt’s economy. The fertile Nile Delta is responsible for the country’s rich natural conditions, and enables it to grow a wide variety of crops, including cereals, cotton, sugar, fruits and vegetables. The sector is further supported by a well-developed network…
Even when faced with complex regional politics, currency fluctuations and the impact of global crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic, Egypt’s banking sector remained resilient amid wider economic pressures in recent years. Part of this is attributed to the sector’s size – with Egypt having the largest banking system in North Africa – and stability. The industry has played an important role in…
With reforms steadily changing the nature of Egypt’s economy, capital markets are finding new footing in an increasingly competitive region. The long-term growth prospects for the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) are closely linked to macroeconomic performance, as a host of development projects and regulatory upgrades have helped to keep GDP growth rates up. In the near team, however, inflationary pressure…
The insurance sector’s ongoing reform process has strengthened the regulatory environment and fundamentals remain relatively solid. While some regulations have placed new demands on insurers, the fact remains that the country’s low level of insurance penetration translates to significant unexplored potential – and further regulatory reforms are expected to increase the number of compulsory products.…
Egypt’s energy sector proved largely resilient to the initial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, when demand for fuel and feedstock dropped amid lockdowns and travel restrictions. Heavy investment in the industry, new oil and gas discoveries, and a strong refining industry now place Egypt in an advantageous position to capitalise on the resurgence of global travel and economic activity. In addition…
In the years leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic, the tourism sector was a key contributor to economic growth and foreign exchange. Egypt was expecting significant growth in tourism going into 2020 with the opening of new flight routes and museums, as well as investment in antiquities. The pandemic’s impact on the tourism sector in markets around the world was significant, as travel restrictions…
Education is been a primary policy priority for the current administration. Since the government of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi came to power in 2014, it has increased government expenditure on the sector and developed plans for the construction of new schools to meet the demands of the growing population. A significant 2018 education reform and the so-called Year of Education in 2019 have led…
