Good morning, all. We have a busy issue for you this morning — we spoke to analysts and economists to get a better feel of which way the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee may lean when it meets later this week and we have the details of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s meeting with Jordan’s Crown Prince.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- The IMF remains committed to Egypt’s loan program: “We look at the macro position of a country and we concentrate on the economy. There are matters of politics that are not in our domain,” IMF boss Kristalina Georgieva told Asharq Business, confirming that the Fund will continue to support the Egyptian economy as it carries out reforms, adding that this support “is and will remain a priority.” Her comments came in response to a question if the Fund will remain committed to its plans regardless of any American pressures.

ICYMI- US President Donald Trump recently threatened to cut aid to Egypt and Jordan if they refuse to take in refugees from Gaza. He has since taken back that threat saying that “we’re above that.”

We’re waiting on our fourth tranche from the IMF: The IMF is set to sign off on Egypt’s fourth review and discuss new funds under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility in the coming weeks. “It is all a matter of schedule,” Georgieva said.

#2- Local manufacturing leader Elsewedy Electric is eyeing an entrance into Brazil and India as part of its expansion plan, Chairman Ahmed Elsewedy told Al Arabiya. The company wants to establish specialized factories for wires, cables, electrical products, and smart infrastructure in both countries this year.

#3- The Arab Organization for Industrialization is in talks with Emirati investors to set up three new factories in Egypt, AOI head Mokhtar Abdel Latif told Wam. The planned facilities will specialize in car tires, MDF wood from palm tree fronds, and advanced defense manufacturing.

HAPPENING TODAY-

#1- The Egypt Energy Show kicks off today, with the Egypt International Exhibition Center set to host private and public energy players from across the globe. The three-day event, which comes under the theme of Building a Secure and Sustainable Energy Future, will welcome 47k visitors, feature over 300 speakers, and host more than 500 participating companies.

It’s already shaping up to be an eventful few days with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides is set to sign “the first agreements for the commercialization of natural gas from deposits in the Republic of Cyprus” at some point today. The agreement will see gas from the country’s Cronos and Aphrodite fields coming our way to be liquified and re-exported as LNG.

#2- It’s the last day of the Businesswomen of Egypt 21 Association annual conference, where delegations from across the world have come together in the past four days across venues in the cities of Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan to discuss issues related to enhancing women’s role in the global economy. This year’s event is being held under the theme of Megatrends Shaping Women’s Economic Potential.

HAPPENING TOMORROW-

The Hydrogen and Ammonia Mediterranean Summit is about to kick off, with the two-day event launching tomorrow. Regional and global figures in the increasingly important subset of renewable energy will take part in discussions and showcase recent technological developments in the emerging field.

PSA-

WEATHER- It’s another cold day in Cairo, with a high of 23°C and a low of 13°C, according to our favorite weather app.

It’s as cold in Alexandria, with a high of 22°C and a low of 11°C.

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

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ICYMI- Missed this week’s Inside Industry? Once a month, Inside Industry looks at a manufacturer — whether locally bred or an international player with a manufacturing base here in Egypt. This month, we spoke with Sherif Khalil, general manager at Henkel Egypt.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

#1- The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee will meet on Thursday to review interest rates. The CBE left rates unchanged when it last met in December — marking the sixth consecutive meeting to keep rates steady — but most analysts see the central bank starting to cut rates sometime this quarter.

What to expect? Analysts are divided on which way the MPC could lean when it meets, according to our customary interest rate poll, which you can check out in the news well, below.

#2- Exploring business potential between Egypt and Switzerland: The Egyptian-Swiss Business Circle and Kickstart Innovation are hosting a series of online events on 20 February under the theme Innovate Together: Business Opportunities Between Egypt and Switzerland. The events aim to strengthen business ties between the two nations, bringing together startups, investors, and public and private players.

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

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

It’s an unusually calm morning on the international scene, while regional and international leaders anticipate the ramifications of the new US administration’s approach to Gaza, Ukraine and the international economy.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio started his Middle East tour in Israel, where he stood next to Prime Minister Netanyahu to affirm their shared goals of “eradicating” Hamas and preventing the emergence of a nuclear Iran. Netanyahu called US President Trump’s forcible displacement plan “the only viable plan to enable a different future.” Rubio will head next to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. (AP | CNN)

MEANWHILE- Top EU leaders are gathering in Paris today to discuss a unified response to the US’ unilateral rapprochement with Russia, and the future of European defense. It remains unclear whether EU or Ukrainian representatives will be a viable part of the anticipated US-Russia negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. (FT | AP | BBC)

*** 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 the future of digital education in Egypt — including several exciting new government initiatives.

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