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Tuesday, 27 Aug 2024

What We’re Tracking Tonight
For Your Commute
Enterprise Recommends
Go With The Flow
Founder Of The Week
Enterprise Entertainment Calendar

Time to worry?

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Today at a glance

1

The Big Story Today

A USD 60 mn carbon black factory in the making?
2

Founder of the Week

Meet our founder of the week: Dyne’s Amr Farid.
3

FOR YOUR COMMUTE

Is it time to start worrying about mpox?
4

ON THE TUBE TONIGHT

Revisiting one of the most tragic murder cases of the early 2000s.
5

Sports

Will The Blaugrana keep their victory streak?
6

OUT AND ABOUT

Don’t miss Omar Khairat tomorrow at Mahka Theatre.
7

Ears to the Ground

The Blindboy Podcast answers questions you never knew you had.

Tuesday, 27 Aug 2024

What We’re Tracking Tonight
For Your Commute
Enterprise Recommends
Go With The Flow
Founder Of The Week
Enterprise Entertainment Calendar
1

WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TONIGHT

India is looking into setting up a USD 60 mn carbon black factory in Egypt

Good afternoon, folks. It’s only Tuesday but we have already started counting down to the weekend.

THE BIG STORY TODAY-

A USD 60 mn carbon black factory in the making? One of India’s largest black carbon producers is interested in setting up a USD 60 mn plant in Egypt, according to a statement.

A lot more where that came from: This came during a series of meetings held by local officials with representatives from major Indian companies working in the fields of green hydrogen, furnishings, and automotive.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

Chinese export controls on essential semiconductor inputs hit supply chains: China’s trade disputes with the US and the west at large has caught the attention of the foreign press this afternoon, as Chinese export controls on essential semiconductor materials trigger fears over western production of advanced chips. China introduced the restrictions last year in what it said was a response to US controls on sales of advanced chips and their equipment. China produces 98% of the world’s supply of gallium and 60% of its supply of germanium — two essential production inputs for semiconductor applications.

Enter Canada: The Canadian Government said that it would impose a 100% tariff on imports of Chinese EVs, following the lead of the US and the EU — a move that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says is an effort to counter “intentional, state-directed policy of over-capacity” at the hands of the Chinese government.

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

  • The delayed fourth IMF loan review is still right around the corner: The International Monetary Fund is set to conduct the fourth review of our USD 8 bn loan program by the end of September or in October at the latest.
  • Gov’t rolls over caps on tuition fee hikes into a second year: The limits up to which private and international schools were permitted to raise their tuition fees last year will remain in effect in the 2024-2025 academic year.
  • MENA Glass ups stake in Middle East Glass: MENA Glass Holding now owns an additional 40.2% of EGX-listed bottle maker Middle East Glass after stakeholders agreed to offload 25.1 mn shares in an EGP 2.8 bn transaction (USD 56.5 mn).

☀️ TOMORROW’S WEATHER- The mercury is peaking in Cairo tomorrow at 36°C before simmering to a low of 26°C by nightfall, according to our favorite weather app. It’s a little cooler in Sahel and Alexandria, with highs of 31-32°C and lows of 24-25°C.

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2

FOR YOUR COMMUTE

Is it time to start worrying about mpox?

The new mpox strain is mutating fast, faster than expected and in areas without the needed funds and equipment to track it, creating challenges for those trying to better understand the virus and its severity and how it spreads, Reuters reports.

A little refresher: The World Health Organization once again declared mpox an international health emergency earlier this month, responding to a severe resurgence of the virus across Africa. The virus can cause flu-like symptoms and painful rashes. It spreads through contact with infected animals and skin-to-skin contact The virus has been a public health issue since 1970.

The origin of the outbreak: This time around the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is bearing the brunt of this outbreak, with most of the cases concentrated there. Some 3.4% of the 16.7k recorded cases in the country have died, according to France24. The country is hoping to receive a vaccine this week to help tame the virus, but until then the number of cases continues to rise.

The cause for worry: This new strain — dubbed clade la — carries a mutation that accelerated the virus’s adaptation in humans. “The virus that causes mpox has typically been fairly stable and slow to mutate, but APOBEC-driven mutations can accelerate viral evolution,” Fred Hutchison Cancer Center’s Miguel Paredes said.

Even the way it's transmitted has changed: While the spread of clade l was linked to contact with infected animals, clade lb can now be considered an STD. The virus can also be spread through contact with infected people, probably a large contributor to its spread among children in overcrowded areas. .

Tracking and response: Efforts to understand and control the spread of the virus have been stalled due to lack of resources — even obtaining basic chemicals for diagnostic tests has been a challenge — leaving many cases undiagnosed or clinically unconfirmed. This lack of data makes it harder to develop a targeted vaccination program and carry out other public health measures.

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3

ENTERPRISE RECOMMENDS

A tragic case that shook a nation

? ON THE TUBE TONIGHT-
(all times CLT)

American Murder: Laci Peterson revisits one of the most tragic cases of the early 2000s. The three-part docu-series — directed by Julian Farino — delves into the chilling story of Laci Peterson’s disappearance and murder, and explores how Scott Peterson, once a grieving husband, became the prime suspect in his wife’s death. This shift captivated public attention for over two decades.

Laci Peterson was 27 years old and eight months pregnant when she vanished on December 24, 2002. Her memory as a vibrant young woman was part of the reason the case sparked a widespread media frenzy. The series features interviews with key figures, including Laci’s mother, Sharon Rocha, and Scott’s sister, who still argues for his innocence. Amber Frey, Scott's girlfriend during the period of Laci’s disappearance, provides a crucial perspective, adding depth to the narrative.

The show paints a portrait of a seemingly perfect couple whose dark undercurrents only became apparent after Laci’s death. It interweaves the timeline of the investigation with personal histories, shedding light on the complexities of Scott and Laci’s relationship, exposing Scott's duplicitous nature and contrasting it with Laci’s genuine affection and excitement about starting a family.

The series strips away the media hype and focuses on the essential details of the case, presenting a well-executed documentary that reinforces the view that Scott Peterson’s behavior and the overwhelming evidence points to his guilt. For those interested in true crime, this series provides an insightful and thorough examination of a case that remains as poignant today as it was twenty years ago.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can watch the series on Netflix or watch the trailer (runtime: 1:48).

⚽ The Blaugrana on a new adventure: Rayo Vallecano is hosting Barcelona in matchday 3 of La Liga at 10:30pm. The Blaugrana tallied six points in their first two games and are looking to keep their victory streak tonight.

Earlier tonight, Real Mallorca will go head to head against Sevilla at 8pm.

Egypt Cup semi-finals:

  • Ismaily vs. Zed (6pm)
  • Al Masry vs. Pyramids (9pm)

? OUT AND ABOUT-
(all times CLT)

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

Immerse yourself in Omar Khairat’s musical mastery. The musician will be taking the stage alongside the Cairo Opera Orchestra as part of the 32nd International Citadel Festival for Music and Singing. The event will take place tomorrow at 8pm, at the Mahka Theatre of Salah El Din Citadel. Grab your tickets here.

Don’t miss BUE Theatre Team’s Arees El Bahr play that will take place tonight at the New Alamein U Arena. The play is scheduled to start at 9pm. Get your tickets here.

… and if you’re in Cairo but still want to catch the show, the theater team will take the show to Rawabet Art Space on Friday and Saturday. The show starts at 8pm. Secure your spot here.

None other than Wegz to close out the iconic new Alamein Festival. The concert will take place Friday, 30 August at 10pm at the U-Arena. You can grab your tickets here.

End Sahel season on a high note with Adriatique at AHM Club in Silversands, where you can dance the summer away, or what’s left of it. The event will take place on Saturday, 31 August, and you can get your tickets here.

HAPPENING LATER-

Komedy Koshk + Boom Room: Prepare for a Stand Up Comedy Night with Khaled Jwad, Paula Rizk, Mohamed Farghaly, Engy Hashem, and Abdoul in collaboration with Komedy Koshk at Boom Room at Madinaty’s Open Air Mall. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, 3 September at 9pm. Grab your tickets here.

And if you want to LOL but Madinaty is too far away, the High Five stand up comedy show with Abdelrahman Mohamed, Badr Nour Eldin, Gamal Ramzy, Fekry Tarek, and Pola Samwel is coming to Theatro Arkan in Sheikh Zayed on Friday, 6 September starting 8pm. Book your spot for the show here.

Omar Khairat takes over ZED Park on Thursday, 19 September for a night of classical music that kicks off at 9pm. Get your tickets here.

? EARS TO THE GROUND-

Answering questions you never knew you had: The Blindboy Podcast tackles eclectic topics with a blend of humor, intellect, and authenticity. In the cover image, host David Chambers — also known as Blindboy Boatclub — appears with a plastic bag covering his face like a mask, creating an intriguing persona that draws listeners in.

The topics are… unique. While many popular podcasts gravitate towards trending topics, Chambers dives into seemingly random yet compelling subjects, exploring Irish mythology, mutated grapefruits, and other unexpected themes. This approach makes listening to the podcast feel like wandering through an obscure library, a refreshing change from the same regurgitated topics circulating online.

It’s not all weird and unusual: The host also talks openly about subjects related to mental health, particularly about his own experience and goals. His refreshing candidness about mental health resonates deeply with his primarily millennial and Gen Z audience and makes listeners feel seen and understood.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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4

GO WITH THE FLOW

What the markets are doing on 27 August 2024

The EGX30 rose 0.8% at today’s close on turnover of EGP 5.8 bn (56.3% above the 90-day average). Foreign investors were net buyers. The index is up 22.0% YTD.

In the green: Beltone (+7.3%), GB Corp (+5.2%) and Alexandria Container & Cargo Handling (+3.7%).

In the red: Mopco (-7.1%), B Investments (-4.3%) and Credit Agricole Egypt (-1.0%).

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5

Founder of the Week

Meet our founder of the week: Dyne’s Amr Farid

OUR FOUNDER OF THE WEEK- Every Tuesday, Founder of the Week looks at how a successful member of Egypt’s startup community got their big break, asks about their experiences running a business, and gets their advice for budding entrepreneurs. Speaking to us this week is Amr Farid (LinkedIn), co-founder and CEO of Dyne.

My name is Amr Farid and I am the co-founder and CEO of Dyne, a dynamic one-stop-shop to facilitate the operation of restaurants. Dyne is transforming the restaurant industry by turning real-time data into actionable insights for restaurant owners. Our platform offers a comprehensive suite of digital services, including menu management, ordering, payments, reservations, and a unique loyalty program — all aimed at enhancing customer experiences and operational efficiency.

I graduated in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from MSA, and spent 12 years rotating through various departments at Vodafone. These included finance, HR, channel marketing, marketing communications, consumer segment, and technical. This provided me with a comprehensive understanding of how the company operates.

Dyne is my second entrepreneurial venture, following the success of SPADE Consulting, which I co-founded in 2016. SPADE quickly became one of the top 10 digital and marketing agencies in Egypt, with a footprint in the GCC and Europe. In late 2021, I saw a gap in the F&B sector that required a fully digitized platform, and that’s when Dyne was born.

That gap in the market was huge, and was specifically evident during Covid-19, when digital menus and QR codes caught on — a quick fix for a perpetual issue. It shouldn’t have been about having a soft copy of the menu on the customer’s phone — the digitized platform should be interactive and provide data that would then improve the customer experience.

We currently serve over 100 branches across Egypt, UAE, and KSA, helping them streamline operations and reduce waste in fulfillment of one of our key principles: “Eat, drink, but not excessively.” Unlike competitors, Dyne integrates tools that provide deep, actionable customer insights, fostering loyalty and driving profitability.

While we are still early in our journey, a key indicator of potential success is the market’s positive response to our services. Operating in three countries is a strong testament to our growing influence and the value we bring to the F&B industry.

In five years, our goal is to become the market leader in providing seamless digital experiences within restaurants. We plan to achieve this by continuously innovating our platform, expanding our market presence, and building strong partnerships across the F&B sector.

The current economic climate, particularly in Egypt, is challenging. However, the F&B sector remains relatively stable, as dining out has become a primary leisure activity for consumers. Our platform focuses on cost optimization, making our services highly appealing to restaurants striving to maintain profitability amid economic uncertainty.

Balancing work and life in a startup environment is challenging, but it’s all about effective time management and commitment. Personally, I maintain this balance by playing professional football in the 4th League Division, which demands time, training, and dedication. It's all about timestamping, too. I’m punctual. I sometimes book slots for meetings with my kids. If I don’t have everything down on a calendar then I wouldn’t get anything done.

There’s this book I highly recommend. It’s called The Future is Faster Than You Think. It gives you insight on what to expect and how to make every plan that you have in mind easier to achieve.

If I could go back in time, I would tell my younger self to focus on connections and growing my network. It’s all about building relationships, and it’s worth investing time in.

Advice I would give to new entrepreneurs is to be consistent and patient. The entrepreneurial journey is full of ups and downs, but perseverance is essential in the long journey to claim success. Launching is just the start.

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ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

AUGUST

16 July-15 October (Tuesday-Tuesday): In the Company of Mahmoud Said exhibition at Aisha Fahmy Palace.

11 June-2 September (Tuesday-Monday): Afashat w Aflam exhibition at Bibliothek.

11 July-30 August (Thursday-Friday): New Alamein Festival at North Coast.

11 July-30 August (Thursday-Friday): Paramotor Ride at North Square.

27 August (Tuesday): Arees El Bahr play at U Arena, New Alamein.

28 August (Wednesday): Omar Khairat concert at Mahka Theatre in Salah El Din Citadel.

30-31 August (Friday-Saturday): Arees El Bahr play at Rawabet Art Space.

30 August (Friday): Wegz Live at New Alamein Festival.

30 August (Friday): Tamer Ashour concert at Porto Said Beach.

31 August (Saturday): Adriatique at AHM Club in Silversands.

31 August (Saturday): Andromeda Pink Floyd tribute concert at Sawy Culture Wheel.

SEPTEMBER

1-4 September (Monday-Wednesday): International Food, Beverage & SuperMarket Equipment Exhibition 2024 at Cairo International Convention Centre.

3 September (Tuesday): Komedy Koshk stand up comedy at Boom Room, Open Air Mall.

6 September (Friday): The High Five stand up comedy show at Theatro Arkan.

12-15 September (Thursday-Sunday): MEDFEST Egypt at AUC Tahrir Square.

13 September (Friday): Omar Khairat’s concert at ZED Park.

13 September (Friday): 100 Years of Singing Concert with Ali El Haggar at Cairo Opera House.

14 September - 19 October (Saturday-Saturday): Fiction Workshop with Mai Serhan at Diwan Heliopolis.

15 September (Sunday): National holiday in observance of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (TBC).

19 September (Thursday): Omar Khairat concert at ZED Park.

20 September (Friday): Bikers Automotive Festival at El Leila El Kebira.

23-24 September (Monday-Tuesday): Omar Khairat concert at Cairo Opera House

OCTOBER

6 October (Sunday): Armed Forces Day.

3-12 October (Thursday-Thursday): Film My Design festival at Zawya Cinema.

10-12 October (Thursday-Saturday): EVs Electrify! Expo & Conference 2024 at Egypt International Exhibition Center.

13-17 October (Friday-Tuesday): Cairo Water Week at The New Administrative Capital

29-30 October (Tuesday-Wednesday): Intelligent Cities Exhibition & Conference (ICEC) at Waldorf Astoria.

NOVEMBER

14-16 November (Thursday-Saturday): Raabta Wellness Festival at El Gouna.

DECEMBER

14 December (Saturday): The Marakez Pyramids Half Marathon.

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