Good afternoon, wonderful people, and a very happy THURSDAY to us all. We’re winding down what has been a busy and exciting week, and the news cycle appears to be (kind of) on the same page.

THE BIG STORY TODAY

It’s interest rate day: The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) is expected to maintain interest rates during today’s MPC meeting on the back of a minor decrease in April’s inflation figures, according to our interest rate poll. Seven of 10 people we’ve spoken with think the central bank will keep rates where they are through to next month while three forecast the MPC to raise rates.

HAPPENING NOW-

El Sisi in Saudi: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi landed in Jeddah this afternoon to participate in the Arab Summit tomorrow, according to an Ittihadiya statement. El Sisi will emphasize Egypt’s willingness to strengthen and develop relations between Arab countries and promote joint action mechanisms, the statement said. Also attending the meeting will be Syrian President Bashar Asaad, who arrived in Saudi Arabia today for the first time since 2011, Ahram Online reported. His attendance follows Syria’s return to the Arab foldafter a 12-year suspension after the Arab League voted the country back into the organization.

** CATCH UP QUICK on the top stories from today’s EnterpriseAM:

  • Madbouly unveils reform package to boost investment: Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly held a press conference yesterday to elaborate on each of the 22 decisions taken by the Supreme Investment Council during its first meeting on Tuesday.
  • Develop quality local products and build strong relationships abroad to kickstart your export business: That was among the key advice heads of major local exporters had to share at our panel at the Enterprise Exports and FDI Forum on Monday, featuring Mark Wyllie, CEO of Beyti, Karim Aboughali, chairman and CEO of Pasta Regina, and Hossam El Sallab, CEO and vice-chairman of Royal Ceramica.
  • The plan to sell the Siemens power plants is more complicated than we thought: Egypt has requested permission from German banks to sell shares in the three 4.8 GW Siemens-built power stations to investors.

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NEVER WORKED IN INVESTOR RELATIONS OR ADVISORY BEFORE? We have the Enterprise Advisory Development Program. The four-month program will see full-time, paid participants take part in workshops and lectures from veteran investor relations and advisory professionals, while also applying their knowledge in a practical setting. Those who successfully complete the program will be offered full-time positions on staff for a chance to work in a flexible and supportive — but still fast-paced — work environment that eschews micromanagement and rewards good work. Enterprise Advisory offers the chance to build a network of high-ranking individuals across some of the largest and most influential companies in the region through direct exposure to clients.

During the program, you’ll learn:

  • Finance for non-finance people;
  • How to analyze businesses, their business models, their strategic advantages, and their strategies;
  • How to take that information and then tell an audience of investors, journalists, and analysts a compelling and well-developed story;
  • How to frame individual companies’ stories within the wider macroeconomic environment.

Career switchers are very welcome.

Apply directly to jobs@enterprisemea.com and mention “advisory development program” in your subject line.

☀️ TOMORROW’S WEATHER- We’re in for a pleasantly warm, sunny weekend, if our favorite weather app is anything to go by. Expect daytime highs of 30 and 32°C, with nighttime lows of 16 and 19°C.

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