Good morning, friends. It is shaping up to be a busy week with the latest inflation data, more on the new government’s plans for the coming three years, and news from the IMF.

THE BIG STORY HERE AT HOME-

It’s all about the hefty 276-page document outlining the new cabinet’s hopes and ambitions for the country for the coming three years. The document lets us in on the state’s plan to boost private sector involvement in the economy and industry and outlines fresh goals.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Afreximbank could more than double its Egypt-bound financing this year: The Cairo-headquartered African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is considering providing Egyptian banks and firms with an additional USD 3.2 bn in financing this year, Global Trade Bank Executive Vice President Haytham El Maayergi told Asharq Business. The additional financing would bring the bank’s total financing to local entities this year to USD 5 bn, he added.

#2- How will AI impact the local job market? The Labour Ministry will form a task force to look into the impact of artificial intelligence on the job market, according to a statement.

HAPPENING TODAY-

CBE holds t-bill auction: The Central Bank of Egypt is looking to raise some EGP 135 bn from auctioning off EGP-denominated treasury bills — the bills will have tenors ranging from three months to one year, according to the CBE’s website. The submission deadline for the six-month and one-year t-bills is today at 11am, while the deadline for the three- and nine-month t-bills is tomorrow.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

It’s interest rate week: The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee will meet on Thursday, 18 July to review rates, after leaving key rates unchanged when it last met in May.

PSA-

WEATHER- It’s getting cooler in Cairo, with a high of 35°C and a low of 26°C, according to our favorite weather app.

It’s even nicer in Alexandria, with a high of 33°C and a low of 24°C.

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

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THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

Donald Trump was wounded in what is being called an assassination attempt after a shooting at a rally during the early hours of today (local time). The Republican candidate was reported safe after being hit by a bullet in his right ear, while the suspected gunman and another attendee were reported dead and two others are in critical condition.

In typical Trump fashion: He was seen pumping his fist as he was being rushed offstage and into his car by the Secret Service and he is said to be in “great spirits” after the accident.

The story is on every front page this morning and pictures of the incident have already been made into memes on X. (FT | Reuters | Bloomberg | CNBC | AP | CNN)

CLOSER TO HOME- At least 90 Palestinians were killed and 300 others were injured in the latest wave of Israeli attacks yesterday, said to have been targeting Hamas official Mohammed Deif.

AND ON THE BUSINESS FRONT- Rate cut incoming? The US Federal Reserve has sent its“strongest signal yet” that it will move forward with highly-anticipated rate cuts following easing inflation. Traders now see the Fed first cutting rates in September.

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