The CBE is in talks with Afreximbank for a USD 500 mn loan that will be geared toward funding trade and imports as well as SME financing, an unnamed source from Afreximbank tells Al Shorouk. If it comes through, the facility would be yet another sign that the international finance institutions are willing to lend substantial sums to the country. The Egyptian Electricity Holding Company recently borrowed USD 900 mn in a syndicated loan. Other recent loans of a considerable size include USD 600 mn to the National Bank of Egypt and an upcoming USD 500 mn loan to Banque Misr. The CBE had made the final payment on its total USD 3.7 bn debt to Afreximbank earlier this month.

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