Pre-Trading Thoughts

Foreign holdings of public debt have returned to their pre-December levels, reaching approximately USD38 billion, the rise in demand from foreign investors is attributed to declining inflation figures coupled with expectations of an interest rate cut from the CBE in April.Kuwait is looking to increase its investments in Egypt to USD5.3 billion by the end of the year, equal to a 20% jump in the GCC nation’s investments in Egypt.Kuwaiti officials informed Prime Minister Madbouly of the renewal of two deposits totaling USD4 billion.The government is planning to launch a retail bond market in 2025 as part of the government’s efforts to diversify its public debt instruments.Air Liquide Egypt and China’s United Energy Group (UEG) signed an MoU to develop green ammonia projects using green hydrogen in Egypt. The Finance Ministry is looking to amend the property tax law to raise the exemption threshold to EGP4-5 million, up from EGP2 million currently.Shipping company Hapag-Lloyd’s plans to return to the Suez Canal will remain on ice. Looking ahead, the firm penciled in 2H25 for the gradual resumption of traffic.MPs will vote on three foreign grant agreements on Tuesday.Egypt is negotiating with Iraq to resume importing shipments of Iraqi crude oil. The UK is looking to boost its investments in infrastructure and aviation in Egypt, in addition to investing in the green energy sector.HRHO is negotiating with investors to subscribe to its Saudi Arabian Higher Education Fund to gather USD150 million. Consolidated Financial Holding reduced its stake in CNFN from 58.58% to 42.01%.