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Egypt requests $4.8bn loan from visiting IMF chief Egypt requests $4.8bn loan from visiting IMF chief
(about 4 hours later)
The head of the International Monetary Fund is in Egypt to discuss an urgently-needed financial aid package for the country's struggling economy. Egypt has asked the International Monetary Fund for a $4.8bn (£3bn) loan to help revive its struggling economy.
Christine Lagarde met President Mohammed Mursi and his new cabinet. The request was made during talks in Cairo between President Mohammed Mursi and IMF chief Christine Lagarde.
Finance Minister Mumtaz al-Said said Egypt had requested a loan of $4.8bn (£3bn), up from the $3.2bn that had been mooted since last year. Ms Lagarde said the IMF would respond quickly, while Prime Minister Hisham Qandil said he hoped the deal could be finalised before the end of the year.
It is needed to cover budget deficits resulting from shrinking tourism and foreign investment revenues.It is needed to cover budget deficits resulting from shrinking tourism and foreign investment revenues.
Egypt's foreign reserves have fallen to well under half the levels seen before last year's popular uprising against former President Hosni Mubarak, when the central bank started to sell dollars to prop up the Egyptian pound.Egypt's foreign reserves have fallen to well under half the levels seen before last year's popular uprising against former President Hosni Mubarak, when the central bank started to sell dollars to prop up the Egyptian pound.
The government is facing a balance of payments crisis and high borrowing costs, with local banks shouldering almost all short-term lending to the state, and experts say financial aid is urgently needed to avoid currency devaluation. The government is facing a balance-of-payments crisis and high borrowing costs, with local banks shouldering almost all short-term lending to the state, and experts say financial aid is urgently needed to avoid currency devaluation.
Egypt's budget deficit for the 2012-3 fiscal year is predicted to be 7.9% of gross domestic product (GDP), while it has internal debt of $193bn and foreign debt of $33.8bn.Egypt's budget deficit for the 2012-3 fiscal year is predicted to be 7.9% of gross domestic product (GDP), while it has internal debt of $193bn and foreign debt of $33.8bn.
Months of political turmoil have taken their toll on Egypt's struggling economy. Tourism, one of the country's main industries and a major source of foreign currency, has been hit hard. The civil unrest has not only scared away tourists, it has deterred investors as well.Months of political turmoil have taken their toll on Egypt's struggling economy. Tourism, one of the country's main industries and a major source of foreign currency, has been hit hard. The civil unrest has not only scared away tourists, it has deterred investors as well.
Add to that the problems of corruption and poverty. In this country of 80 million people, around 40% live below the poverty line. Last year, many young Egyptians took to the streets, hoping for a better future, but there is widespread youth unemployment. Add to that the problems of corruption and poverty. In this country of 80 million people, about 40% live below the poverty line. Last year, many young Egyptians took to the streets, hoping for a better future, but there is widespread youth unemployment.
More than half of Egypt's foreign currency reserves have been eroded, in attempts to defend the Egyptian pound against devaluation. Cairo has been negotiating with the IMF for emergency funding for the last year and a half, but so far no deal has been reached. Conditions attached to any loan are likely to include unpopular austerity measures, a tough proposition for the new government. More than half of Egypt's foreign currency reserves have been eroded, in attempts to defend the Egyptian pound against devaluation. Cairo has been negotiating with the IMF for emergency funding for the last year and a half, but so far no deal has been reached.
'Continuous commitment' Conditions attached to any loan are likely to include unpopular austerity measures, a tough proposition for the new government.
'Very impressed'
Negotiations between Egypt and the IMF have been taking place in the 18 months since the overthrow of Mubarak, but no deal has been agreed because the IMF has demanded that any loan gets broad political support.Negotiations between Egypt and the IMF have been taking place in the 18 months since the overthrow of Mubarak, but no deal has been agreed because the IMF has demanded that any loan gets broad political support.
It also wants a comprehensive Egyptian recovery plan addressing economic imbalances, protecting the poor and generating foreign investor confidence, according to the Reuters news agency. Now that Mr Mursi has formed a new government, and issued a decree wresting presidential powers and control of the budget from the military, correspondents say there are strong indications a deal will be done.
Now that Mr Mursi has formed a new government, and issued a decree wresting presidential powers and control of the budget from the military, correspondents say there are strong indications a deal will be done with Ms Lagarde. After meeting Ms Lagarde on Wednesday, Prime Minister Qandil said he expected the IMF loan would be for five years, with a grace period of 39 months and an interest rate of 1.1%.
"Her visit is a reflection of the IMF's continuous commitment to support Egypt and its people during this historic period of transition," the IMF said in a statement last week. The government had drawn up an economic plan that included strategies to reduce the deficit, boost investment and ensure subsides went to those most in need, he added.
Mr Said has also asked the United States for a $500m grant to support the state budget. "God willing there will be an agreement on a map for work extending to November or the beginning of December during which the loan will be signed with the IMF," he told reporters.
Ms Lagarde said the IMF had been "very impressed" by the government's strategy, but she stressed that they had not yet "gone into details" of either the amount or terms of the loan.
"The authorities have indicated that Egypt would like the IMF to support Egypt's economic programme financially to help the country recover and to lay the foundation for strong growth that benefits all," she said.
Egypt's Finance Minister Mumtaz al-Said has also asked the United States for a $500m grant to support the state budget.
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia transferred $1.5bn as direct budget support, approved $430m in project aid and said it would allow the Egyptian government to use a $750m line of credit to import oil products.Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia transferred $1.5bn as direct budget support, approved $430m in project aid and said it would allow the Egyptian government to use a $750m line of credit to import oil products.
Qatar has also said it will deposit $2bn at the Egyptian Central Bank.Qatar has also said it will deposit $2bn at the Egyptian Central Bank.