Good morning, wonderful people. And happy Friday. Get ready to enjoy a sunny weekend as we charge headfirst into summer.

Looking for a new adventure this season? Put away the map, we’ve compiled a list of all the places you should pack for and the travel agencies you can rely on to minimize the hassle. Whether it’s a local escape or a global getaway, consider your next trip sorted.

Enterprise Weekend comes out each Friday at 9:00am CLT. We’ll be back on Sunday at 6am with EnterpriseAM. Until then: Enjoy the weekend.

LAST WEEK IN 3 MINS-

ECONOMY-

#1- The Central Bank of Egypt’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) left interest rates unchanged in its meeting yesterday as policymakers noted that the “recent exchange rate dynamics are supporting the tightening of monetary conditions, which will anchor inflation expectations, and dampen the inflation outlook going forward.” The hold was forecast by all 12 analysts and economists we surveyed before the meeting, who said that the central bank would leave rates unchanged as inflation cools, FX inflows pick up, and the EGP exchange rate against the greenback stabilizes.

#2- Third review on the way? Representatives from the IMF are in town to conduct the third review of our loan program. The review will unlock the third USD 820 mn tranche of our USD 8 bn loan program. The third review is expected to be completed around 15 June, with the fourth review scheduled for September.

#3- USD 1.2 bn in green financing in the works: Negotiations have started for Egypt to access USD 1.2 bn in long-term, low-cost climate financing from the IMF's Resilience and Sustainability Facility, the Environment Ministry said just before the week kicked off, following a meeting between Minister Yasmine Fouad and IMF mission chief for Egypt Ivanna Hollar. The USD 8 bn expanded facility agreement in March opened up the right for the country to apply for the additional low-cost climate financing.

M&A WATCH-

#1- EFG Hermes acquires minority stake in Danish Kenzi Wealth: Our friends at EFG Hermes have acquired an undisclosed minority stake in the Danish digital wealth manager Kenzi Wealth, marking a “significant milestone in EFG Hermes' digitalization vision that promises to usher in a new era of investment opportunities for clients,” the companies said last week. EFG Hermes will also leverage Kenzi’s AI tools to streamline the management of investment portfolios and give investors a more personalized experience under an MoU inked between the two sides.

#2- Philip Morris acquires minority stake in Eastern Company: US-based tobacco giant Philip Morris International has acquired an indirect 14.7% stake in EGX-listed cigarette maker Eastern Company from Emirati Global Investment Holding (GIH). Prior to the sale, GIH was the major shareholder with a 30% stake it acquired in November.

#3- E-Finance snaps stakes in local digital payment firms: State-owned fintech giant e-Finance has acquired minority stakes in two digital payment companies, Al Ahly Momkn and EasyCash for Digital Payments, the company said without detailing the value of either transaction. E-Finance acquired a 25% stake in Al Ahly Momkn — a subsidiary of the National Bank of Egypt’s investment arm Al Ahly Capital Holding — with the NBE holding the remaining 75%. Meanwhile, e-Finance acquired a 13% stake in state-owned EasyCash.

#4- Elsewedy Electric could welcome a new shareholder: UAE-based Electra Investment Holding has submitted a voluntary offer for up to 24.5% of EGX-listed Elsewedy Electric at USD 1.05 a pop. The buyer wants to acquire at least 15% of Elsewedy Electric — which is over 76% collectively owned by the Elsewedy family — to execute the offer. The Financial Regulatory Authority is currently studying the offer.

CAPITAL MARKETS-

IDH looks to delist from the Egyptian Stock Exchange: Integrated Diagnostics Holdings (IDH) could soon delist its shares from the Egyptian Stock Exchange due to “limited trading activity” and the “absence of any investment potential in maintaining the listing on the secondary market,” the consumer healthcare giant said. All listed shares will be transferred to their primary market on the London Stock Exchange if the extraordinary general assembly approves the voluntary delisting, the company’s board said in the disclosure.

PRIVATIZATION WATCH-

House approves bill that allows private investors to manage public health facilities: The House gave final approval to a new bill that will permit the private sector to manage and operate public hospitals and healthcare facilities in Egypt. The bill will not include medical facilities offering health services key to national security or basic healthcare and birth control units and centers as well as facilities operating blood and plasma collection.

AROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS-

Our corner of the world was the undisputed big story around the world throughout the week, as journalists around the world covered the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, as well as the health of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, and the prospect of arrest warrants for the top leaders of both Israel and Hamas.

The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as his defense minister, and three Hamas leaders on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. A panel of three ICC judges will decide whether or not to accept the prosecutor’s request, which typically takes around two months, according to Associated Press.

WHILE IN TECH NEWS- Microsoft announced its Copilot+ PCs, which it is billing as “the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs ever built” — designed for AI, of course. The device will call on AI to perform tasks such as helping users recall things they have come across on their computer. Look for it to be available starting 18 June.

AND IN AI NEWS- OpenAI disbanded its long-term AI risk team less than a year after announcing it. The team was announced in July with the aim to “to steer and control AI systems much smarter than us.”

☀️ THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND- Friday will be showing sunny highs of 34°C and lows of 21°C. Similarly, Saturday will have a high of 33°C and a low of 20°C, according to our favorite weather app.

HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND-

You have until tonight to be part of the future of design at The Design Show in CairoInternational Conventions Center. Attracting over 20k industry professionals, architects, interior designers, furniture manufacturers, and design solution providers alike will converge to unveil their latest innovations. Register your interest to visit here.

The Flower Exhibition opened its doors on 19 May in the Agricultural Museum in Dokki and will continue for a month. 200 companies and more will be presenting a wide array of plants and flowers. They will be accepting visitors daily from 9am to 9pm.

Celebrate Disco Misr’s eighth album release at their concert today at Zed Park Sheikh Zayed. Grab your tickets here.

Missed the main event? Catch Disco Misr’s Album Launch after party at CJC 610 today. For reservations message their Facebook page.

HAPPENING NEXT WEEKEND-

For all you MMA enthusiasts, get ready for an adrenaline-pumping night with QADYA 04 at Madinaty Golf Club on Friday, 31 May. Experience the thrill of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as they bring you a night of intense fights, incredible athleticism, and unforgettable moments ringside as top fighters from around the world step into the octagon, ready to showcase their skills and determination. Get your tickets here.

Shababco is celebrating its third birthday with a bazaar on Friday, 31 May at ZED Park.This one-day event is dedicated to showcasing the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of young local brand owners with a diverse array of unique products ranging from handmade crafts and fashion. In addition to the bustling bazaar, enjoy live performances throughout the day from both up-and-coming and well-known local artists. Their tickets haven’t dropped yet, but stay tuned to their Instagram for more information.

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