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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TONIGHT

Gov’t is looking into tax options to apply on EGX capital gains

Good afternoon, all. We don’t know about you, but we have already started counting down to the long weekend in observance of Prophet Mohammed’s birthday.

THE BIG STORY TODAY-

#1- Amendments to the taxation of gains made from EGX transactions? The government is studying a number of tax options to apply on gains made from EGX transactions, that includes a 0.15% stamp tax, a senior government source told Enterprise. The new taxes are being explored amid challenges in implementing the capital gains tax, which has faced delays on the back of difficulties in calculating cost ratios.


#2- Bisco Misr to welcome new majority shareholder: American cereal and snack maker Kellanova (FKA Kellogg Company) will sell its entire majority stake in Egypt’s largest biscuit company, Bisco Misr, to UAE-based business conglomerate Hayel Saeed Anam Group, according to a statement(pdf). The transaction is expected to close by early 2025, the statement says without mentioning its value.


#3- Inflation picks up again after months of cooling: Annual urban inflation has accelerated to 26.2% in August after having fallen to 25.7% — its lowest level since December 2022 — in July, according to figures from state statistics agency Capmas.

Food and beverage inflation continued to retreat on an annual basis: Food and beverage prices — the largest component of the basket of goods and services used to calculate headline inflation — continued to rise but at a softer rate of 29% y-o-y in August, down from 29.7% in July. On a m-o-m basis, however, food prices climbed by 1.8% in August — from 0.3% the month before — contributing to the 2.1% m-o-m rise in urban inflation.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

It’s a mixed bag in the international press this afternoon: The Financial Times has coverage of Ukraine’s mass drone attack on Moscow, while Bloomberg is out with the latest in Gaza — Israel killed dozens in a series of airstrikes targeting the humanitarian zone of Mawasi in Gaza. Meanwhile, iPhone maker Apple has to settle EUR 13 bn in taxes to the Irish government after losing a 10-year court battle, CNBC has the news.

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

  • Competition watchdog ain’t no chicken when it comes to calling out unfair practices: The Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA) has initiated criminal proceedings against 21 major table egg producers for alleged colluding to raise prices.
  • Good news for jet setters: Banque Misr and NBE will now let their customers traveling abroad exchange up to USD 5k in the run up to their travels — depending on the type of account they have.
  • OCI sells methanol business to Methanex for USD 2.05 bn: Nassef Sawiris-backed, Netherlands-headquartered chemicals company OCI Global has sold its entire methanol business — operating in the US and Europe — to Canadian methanol producer Methanex in a USD 2.05 bn agreement.

☀️TOMORROW’S WEATHER- Today’s heatwave will be continuing into the rest of the week and through the weekend. We expect to see highs of 39°C tomorrow with a low of 27°C, according to our favorite weather app.

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FOR YOUR COMMUTE

Apple’s event was all AI

New AI features dominate Apple’s iPhone 16 announcement: The tech giant held its annual product launch yesterday, unveiling a new generation of its flagship product in its boldest foray into AI integration. The event saw Apple debut the latest iPhone line, the first of their products designed specifically to accommodate GenAI, CEO Tim Cook said during the presentation.

What the new phone will offer: The iPhone 16 will come with a slew of new features, most notably a new customizable camera control feature, complete with “visual intelligence” that will use AI to help identify the things around you. It will also have longer-lasting battery and larger display sizes. The standard iPhone 16 will clock in at 6.1 inches, while the iPhone 16 Pro will be 6.7 inches.

What the new phone won’t offer: The Apple Intelligence rollout will be gradual. While the iPhone 16 will be native to Apple Intelligence, Bloomberg reported that “the full set of Apple Intelligence features [will release] via multiple updates to iOS 18 across the end of 2024 and through the first half of 2025.”

When will they be available? Both phones will be available for pre-order on Friday, 13 September, and will be in stores and ready to ship on September 20.

The event wasn’t just all about the iPhone: The Apple Watch 10 and the Airpods 4 were also announced yesterday. The new watch comes with a 30% larger display, sleep apnea detection, and enhanced underwater capabilities, while the new Airpods will feature active noise cancellation and transparency mode, which lets users hear their surroundings.

Apple’s emphasis on AI throughout its presentation failed to generate the expected level of interest from investors, with the company’s stock price falling 1% following the event, in what is another sign that investors’ love affair with all things AI-related may be waning.

Remember: Recent studies have found that mentioning AI in marketing copy has been hurtingsales, pointing towards hostile consumer sentiment in the face of the growing industry, and it is unclear whether AI integration will attract or repel customers, who are already wary of Apple’s vision for AI.

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ENTERPRISE RECOMMENDS

Paolo Machhiarini, a brilliant surgeon and a better conman

? ON THE TUBE TONIGHT-
(all times CLT)

Paolo Macchiarini, once a celebrated pioneer in regenerative surgery, was exposed as a conman who caused the death of almost 90% of his surgical patients. Bad Surgeon unpacks the unbelievable case in three episodes, exploring his rise to academic acclaim and fall to fraud.

Macchiarini made waves in the surgical community by developing a revolutionary esophageal transplant using plastic parts coated in stem cells that promised to change the world of thoracic surgery. His charm, charisma, and confidence made him a media darling and a trusted figure in the surgical community. But beneath the accolades and praise was a con man performing experimental surgeries on healthy people who lost their lives, all while fabricating wild stories about his celebrity connections and personal life.

The docuseries centers the heart-wrenching stories of the patients Macchiarini experimented on. From Christopher Lyles, who was suffering from esophageal cancer, to Julia, a healthy dancer whose life was tragically cut short, these patients and their families, whose loved ones died under Macchiarini’s care after placing their trust in his groundbreaking surgeries, offer a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of Macchiarini’s surgical fraud.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can watch the docuseries on Netflix or watch the trailer here (runtime:1:08).

⚽The Pharaohs face a new challenge: The Egyptian national team will be hosted by Botswana today as part of Group C’s second round of matches, with the referee’s whistle blowing at 7pm. Our homegrown team is in the lead with three points, while Botswana is still recovering from defeat in the previous round.

Other African Cup matches to look out for:

  • South Sudan vs. South Africa — Group K (4pm).
  • Zimbabwe vs. Cameroon — Group J (7pm).
  • Liberia vs. Algeria — Group E (7pm).
  • Cape Verde vs. Mauritania — Group C (10pm).
  • Chad vs. Côte d’Ivoire — Group G (10pm).

The last matches of the UEFA Nations League are taking place tonight before an international break. Eight matches are kicking off at 9:45pm, but here are the ones we’re flipping through:

  • Ireland vs. Greece — Group B, Level B2.
  • Finland vs. England — Group B, Level B2.
  • Germany vs. Netherlands — Group C, Level C1.

The FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be seeing Colombia face off against Argentina tonight at 11:30pm. The Argentinian team is currently in the lead with 18 points, while Colombia trails in third place with 13 points.

? OUT AND ABOUT-
(all times CLT)

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

Listen to people’s stories and tell your own at this interactive comedy show.Ain Gamal will take to the stage at the 6th edition MedFest EG. Enjoy the unique blend of comedy this Friday, 13 September at Ewart Hall in AUC Tahrir Square. Grab your tickets here.

The Racines art exhibition is open. Head to Art Corner Gallery in Zamalek to witness a showcase of Iman Khattab’s art. The exhibition will run until Wednesday, 18 September.

Idreesi is back with another powerful performance. He’s once again about to perform the electro-pop and synth-pop sounds that have defined his career while fusing Arabic melodies and poetry. Book tickets for the second showing on Thursday, 12 September here before it sells out.

Mark your calendars for the 100 Years of Singing Concert with Ali El Haggar: The singer’s performance will honor the late Baligh Hamdi. The show will take place at Cairo Opera House’s mail hall on Friday, 13 September at 8:30pm. Secure your seat here.

HAPPENING LATER-

The fourth edition of Forever is Now is approaching. This year, a lineup of 12 global visionary artists are ready to display their work at the iconic Pyramids of Giza — including two groundbreaking AI-powered projects. The exhibition will start on Thursday, 24 October and continue till Saturday, 16 November.

Registration is open for the Scaled Games. Show off your skills by taking part in one of the three sporting competitions available: running, football, or crossfit. Running and crossfit will both take place on Friday, 11 October, while the football tournament will occur starting Friday, 27 September till Friday, 11 October. All events will happen in New Heliopolis City. Sign up here.

For the love of medieval art. Today in History is Amsterdam-based Egyptian artist Dina Danish’s first exhibition in Egypt in nearly a decade. Composed of a collection of appliqué tapestries that resemble medieval banners, the exhibition will open at the Gypsum Gallery next Tuesday, 17 September from 7-9pm and will continue till Saturday, 30 October.

The Ice Warrior Challenge makes a thrilling return to Ski Egypt, featuring over 20 challenging obstacles at freezing temperatures, this is the ultimate endurance test for athletes. The event will take place on Saturday 28 September starting at 9am. Book your spot here.

Got the moves? The 16th edition of Cairo International Jazz Festival will take place from Thursday, October 31 to Friday, November 8, 2024 at the American University in Cairo campus in Tahrir. Schedule is yet to be announced.

? EARS TO THE GROUND-

In The Dark has earned its reputation for groundbreaking journalism and ethical reporting. Hosted by journalist Madeleine Baran, this true crime podcast stands out for its deep-dive investigations and its commitment to uncovering the truth.

Three in a row. The podcast first captivated audiences in 2016 with its exploration of the abduction of a young boy 27 years prior. Its second season, released in 2018, focused on Curtis Flowers, a Black man who endured six trials for the same crime and spent over two decades on death row before being exonerated. The third season, which debuted this summer, takes on a harrowing and complex case: the 2005 Haditha massacre in Iraq.

The story: 24 civilians were killed by US Marines. The podcast meticulously investigates why no one has been held accountable for these deaths. Baran and her team delve into previously unseen government and military documents, and conduct interviews with Iraqi civilians, former Marines, and eyewitnesses— including Khalid Salman Rasif, who discovered the bodies of his family members at the scene.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Anghami, Podbean, and Amazon Music.

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GO WITH THE FLOW

What the markets are doing on 10 September 2024

The EGX30 fell 0.9% at today’s close on turnover of EGP 3.8 bn (2.7% below the 90-day average). Local investors were the sole net sellers. The index is up 20.9% YTD.

In the green: Edita (+2.5%), Telecom Egypt (+2.4%), and Juhayna (+2.3%).

In the red: Ezz Steel (-4.5%), ADIB (-3.6%), and Palm Hills Development (-2.9%).

This publication is proudly sponsored by


SEPTEMBER

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

3-18 September (Tuesday-Wednesday): Racines art exhibition at Art Corner Gallery.

12 September (Thursday): Idreesi Live in Cairo at Rawabet Art Space.

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

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

13 September (Friday): Ain Gamal X 6th edition MedFest EG at AUC Tahrir Square.

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).

17 September to 30 October (Tuesday-Saturday): Today in History exhibition at Gypsum Gallery.

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.

26-29 (Thursday-Sunday): She Arts festival at AUC Tahrir.

26 September (Thursday): Fouad & Mounib concert at Theatro Arkan.

27 September (Friday): The Artful You! Journaling Workshop at Diwan Heliopolis.

27 September - 11 October (Friday-Friday): Scaled Games at New Heliopolis City.

28 September (Saturday): Ice Warrior Challenge at Ski Egypt.

28 September (Saturday): Improvisation Performance: Irtigalia Honn at Falaki Theater.

OCTOBER

5 October (Saturday): The Amy Winehouse Band at The Theater in Somabay.

6 October (Sunday): Armed Forces Day.

11 October (Friday): Half Marathon in Luxor.

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.

24 October- 16 November (Thursday-Saturday): Forever is Now art exhibition at the Pyramids of Giza.

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

31 October- 8 November (Thursday-Friday): Cairo International Jazz Festival at the historic American University in Cairo.

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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