I NVESTING IN A REVOLVING E GYPT Angus Blair 10 February 2016
Egyptian Population Source: International Monetary Fund and CAPMAS 2.8% pa growth Extra 35 million in only 15 years / Repercussions / Planning
Real GDP (growth) Source: International Monetary Fund Insufficient economic growth Need to take economic growth to 8% p/a
Foreign Exchange Reserves Source: International Monetary Fund Source: Central Bank of Egypt Capital controls Import restrictions & tariffs / Managing the reserves
Trade & Current Account Balances Source: Central Bank of Egypt, Egyptian Ministry of Finance Need to reset policy Need for foreign currency / exports
Food Imports & Exports Source: Central Bank of Egypt Agriculture / Reform & land & water use
Oil Trade Source: Central Bank of Egypt Exports falling & hurting trade balance Saudi Arabia hydrocarbon support Increased investment in the sector
Budget Deficit Source: Egyptian Ministry of Finance Goal for reduction / Civil Service Law Subsidies
Subsidies Source: Central Bank of Egypt Oil & wheat subsidies falling, but others rising
Tourist Arrivals Source: Central Bank of Egypt, Bloomberg Resumption to Sharm El Sheikh soon, but hit to foreign currency earnings
Grants to Egypt Source: Egyptian Ministry of Finance Help from GCC has helped in the interim New aid will be limited
Suez Canal Revenues Source: Suez Canal Authority Website Concurrent indicator of global trade Suez Canal zone will add significant value
Inflation Source: International Monetary Fund Domestic rate of inflation – higher than global norm Domestic inefficiencies
Banks Source: Central Bank of Egypt Strong deposit growth Banks & financial system in a solid position Low private debt
PMI Business Sentiment Source: Bloomberg Lack of foreign currency is hurting
Water Availability Source: IMF, CAPMAS High water stress, but major opportunities for desalination & waste water investment
» Population growth is too high and has major economic & political repercussions » Economic growth remains too low for the population growth » The foreign exchange reserves remain under pressure » The trade deficit is unsustainable » The Government budget remains too high » The rate of inflation is high and hurts the poorest the most Stresses
» The informal sector and cash economy » There are very low levels of household and private sector debt » The banking sector is in very good shape » The consumer sector remains solid » FDI has remained resilient, including non-oil FDI » M&A activity continues » Infrastructure requirements: Suez Canal zone / Transport / Housing / Water / Electricity The Quiet Strengths
» Sinai / Libya » The region is pulling on Egypt to do more, elsewhere » Fragmentation /differing demands from different constituencies » Limits on expression » The young » The parliament will be noisy & ask questions » Looking out Politics
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