Good morning, all. All eyes are on Washington this morning where the world’s finance ministers and central bank governors are gathering for the IMF and World Bank Group Annual Meetings.

Mashreq Egypt unveils the “most attractive saving option on the market:” Our friends at Mashreq Egypt are offering a 23% interest rate on their Mashreq NEO and e&Mashreq NEO accounts for balances starting from EGP 5k, the company said in a press release (pdf). Users have until 31 December to take advantage of the offer where “interest will be calculated daily with monthly payouts, which is the highest daily interest rate available.” Customers can open a Mashreq NEO or e&Mashreq Neo account through the Mashreq Egypt app or My Etisalat app.

Remember: Mashreq Egypt launched Mashreq NEO — a banking segment that fulfills clients’ on-the-go banking needs — in March.

HAPPENING TODAY-

#1- The IMF and World Bank annual meetings kick off today: Finance ministers, central bank governors, and other big names in the worlds of finance and policy are in Washington DC for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Annual Meetings that run until Saturday. The event will “reflect on where we are, where we are headed, and what to do about it,” IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a speech in the run-up to the event.

What to expect? We have more on what can be expected from this year’s meetings in this morning’s Planet Finance.

Among those representing Egypt at the event will be Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Minister Rania Al Mashat, who will join World Bank President Ajay Banga and others on stage on Wednesday to speak on Agri-Food Systems as an Engine of Sustainable Growth and Job Creation.

You can check out the full schedule on the event’s official website.

#2- Civil Aviation Minister Sameh Elhefny is joining BEBA for lunch today: The British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA) is hosting a luncheon under the title Egypt’s Aviation Sector: A Key Catalyst for Investment, Tourism, and Economic Development with Civil Aviation Minister Sameh Elhefny delivering the keynote address. The event will be held later today at the Conrad Hotel.

HAPPENING TOMORROW-

Brics state leaders gather in Russia: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi will reportedly join the leaders of other Brics nations in Kazan tomorrow for the three-day Brics Summit to discuss economic collaboration, trade, and global governance. During his time in Russia, El Sisi is expected to meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported.

De-dollarization is expected to be high on the agenda: Russia is pushing for the nine-member bloc that includes Egypt to adopt changes to how local currency transactions are made between member nations to bypass the world’s dominant financial systems. The country argues that by more closely linking and enabling local currency transactions between commercial banks and also central banks in a network, in addition to using distributed ledger technology or a token system, they will be able to bolster bilateral trade between member nations and “ring-fence its participants from any external pressures such as extraterritorial sanctions.”

PSA-

WEATHER- It’s another cool day in Cairo, with a high of 29°C and a low of 21°C, according to our favorite weather app.

It’s a little cooler in Alexandria, with a high of 27°C and a low of 20°C.

** DID YOU KNOW that we now cover Saudi Arabia and the UAE?

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ICYMI- Missed this week’s Inside Industry? In our weekly vertical exploring all things industry and manufacturing, we looked at how Egypt could revive its foil manufacturing industry to reduce its annual USD 120-140 mn import bill for the much-in-demand material. Read the story here.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

The annual Carerha Summit is fast approaching: Female-focused edtech platform Carerha will host its annual summit on 8-9 November in Sheikh Zayed’s Capital Business Park, it said in a statement (pdf). The USAID- and DAI-backed event is expected to host 5k attendees and feature “engaging panels, talks, and fireside chats on topics such as empowering women in fintech, success stories of Egyptian brands, leveraging various platforms for business growth, and building businesses at a young age.” Find the link to register on the platform’s Facebook page.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.

ENTERPRISEAM IS LOOKING FOR SMART, TALENTED PEOPLE of all backgrounds to help us build some very cool new things. EnterpriseAM — the essential morning read on all the important news shaping business and the economy in Egypt, GCC, and the wider region — is looking for writers, reporters, and editors to help us build out new publications.

Never worked in a newsroom before? We have the EnterpriseAM Business Writing Development Program. Whether you are a recent graduate, an industry vet, or looking to switch careers, the EnterpriseAM Business Writing Development Program will give you the tools you need to tell the most important stories to our audience of C-suite officials, government ministers, diplomats, financiers, investors, and entrepreneurs.

Not an internship program — a career: The three-month program will see full-time, paid participants take part in workshops and lectures from veteran business journalists on subject matter knowledge, while also working on constructing and filing EnterpriseAM stories that will run on any of our publications. Those who have successfully completed the program, will then be given long-term job offers.

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

PLUS- We’re also looking for our first dedicated audience development professional. Someone who loves the challenge of helping us reach new readers in new markets — Saudi, the UAE, and lots more to come —using a range of digital channels and tools. You’re someone who thrives on working in a small, focused team. You’ve got proven digital skills (more likely than not on the performance marketing side). And you want to be part of what we immodestly think is the region’s most exciting media, advisory, and business intelligence company.

Interested? Tell Patrick and Moustafa why and send us your resume on newjobs@enterprise.news. We’d love to hear from you today. The position is based in Cairo, offers two days a week working anywhere you please, and offers a competitive package. (We’re also pretty nice people to work with, if we don’t say so ourselves.)

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

Israel’s ongoing battering of Lebanon and Gaza is still getting top billing in the foreign press, as it shifts its focus to sites it says are linked with Hezbollah’s financial operations in Lebanon, Reuters reports. Israel launched the bombing campaign yesterday, sending hundreds of Beirut residents fleeing from their homes.

The attacks come a day after a drone reportedly exploded near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s home and only a few days after Israel killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Sinwar’s killing is also fueling speculations over where the war could go next, with some expecting more attempts towards a ceasefire, despite Hezbollah vowing more retaliation against Israel, Semafor reports.

OVER IN EUROPE- Moldovan President Maia Sandu is accusing “foreign forces” of interfering with a crucial vote to decide if the country will join the EU, after most votes were counted showing a 53% majority voting “no” to the referendum. Still, the decision remains too close to call due to the tight margin and the impact of votes among the large Moldovan diaspora. (Financial Times | The Guardian | Reuters)

AND FURTHER EAST- Indonesian ex-military general Prabowo Subianto was sworn in as president yesterday, vowing to tackle corruption and accelerate economic growth in the country during his time in office. (Reuters | France24)

AND IN THE BUSINESS PRESS- US stocks are expected to continue their rally through to the end of the year despite the impact of US elections, with the latest Bloomberg Markets Live Pulse survey forecasting the S&P 500 to end the year at a new record.

*** It’s Blackboard day: We have our weekly look at the business of education in Egypt, from pre-K through the highest reaches of higher ed.

In today’s issue: We take a look at what the Egyptian public and private sectors are doing to bridge the gender gap in education.

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