The summer holiday kit

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THE WEEK IN REVIEW

THIS WEEKEND: Madbouly to form the new cabinet

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and happy Friday. The weekend is finally here and we are getting into gear for the prospect of the Eid vacation to come. And like you, we didn’t know where to start.

And this is where our handy holiday kit guide comes in. We went on a scavenger hunt to discover what we needed for the summer holidays and prepared a comprehensive list for you to make you packing experience easier.

Enterprise Weekend comes out each Friday at 9:00am CLT. We’ll be back on Sunday at 6am with EnterpriseAM Egypt. Until then: Enjoy the weekend.

LAST WEEK IN 3 MINS-

CABINET WATCH-

New cabinet in the works: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi instructed Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly to form a new government on Monday, after Madbouly submitted his government’s resignation. While new appointments and departures from the cabinet are yet to be announced, policy continuity seems to be the order of the day, with promoting private sector growth, attracting local and foreign investment, and getting inflation under control already high on the agenda.

ECONOMY-

#1- FX reserves blew past pre-pandemic levels: Net foreign reserves increased by a little over USD 5 bn in May to a record USD 46.1 bn as the country starts to see funds from the Ras El Hekma on its balance sheets. Reserves may reach USD 49.7 bn in the current fiscal year and USD 53.3 bn in the next, according to credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings.

INVESTMENT-

Al Ahly’s new home to anchor world-class sports city in Sheikh Zayed: A new 44-k seat home stadium for Al Ahly will anchor a world-class city in Sheikh Zayed that is being brought together by a consortium of more than a dozen companies led by Al Qalaa Al Hamra Co. and exclusively advised by our friends at Beltone Investment Banking. The complex will reportedly cost north of EGP 12 bn to build out over the course of four years.

LEGISLATION WATCH-

MPs passed next year’s budget: The House of Representatives gave its seal of approva l to the FY 2024-2025 state budget and socioeconomic development plan on Monday, with Finance Minister Mohamed Maait reiterating that no new taxes would be introduced this year. The budget will now be sent to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to ratify.

WHAT’S HAPPENING NEXT WEEK-

Inflation to ease for a third consecutive month? Capmas and the Central Bank of Egypt are expected to publish inflation data for May on Monday. Policy makers and the business community will be hoping that headline inflation cools again in May, after having eased on the back of slower food price increases as traders continued to price in a lower exchange rate than in the now-defunct parallel market

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

AROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS-

Mexico took the polls to elect its first woman president, with leftist and former climate scientist Claudia Sheinbaum winning with a commanding 30 percentage point lead over the candidate in second place. A protege of left-leaning incumbent Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Sheinbaum’s election likely signals policy continuity — a prospect that sent the peso tumbling after the scale of Sheinbaum’s victory became clear.

The world’s largest democracy is also set to re-elect Narendra Modi as prime minister, but the Indian prime minister’s victory is bittersweet as it marks the first time in ten years that his Bharatiya Janata Party outright parliamentary majority.

WHILE IN THE BUSINESS PRESS- OPEC+ agreed to extend production cuts until 2025 — cuts of 3.66 mn barrels a day will be extended until the end of 2025, while voluntary cuts of 2.2 mn barrels a day will run through the end of September.

AND- Half of the CEOs running S&P 500 companies surveyed by AP made at least 196x what their median employee earned last year, up from 185x in 2022. Data from the newswire also showed that CEOs’ median pay package rose 12.6% to USD 16.3 mn in 2023, while wages of private sector workers rose just 4.1% during the same period.

☀️ THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND- Today is a scorcher with a high of 43°C in Cairo, falling to a slight low of 24°C. Tomorrow, the mercury will slightly fall to 39°C during the day and to a low of 27°C at night, according to our favorite weather app.

HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND-

Take your seat as the curtains pull away for The Greek National Opera Βallet at the CairoOpera House tonight. In cooperation with the NGO Greek Action Africa, prepare for two nights of ballet in the Opera’s Main Hall. Get your tickets on Tazkarti for the first night and second night.

Step into the past with the MisrIskindireyaExhibition. It’s currently ongoing and will be ending on Monday, June 10, the exhibition will showcase the vibrant yet fleeting essence of Alexandria during the 1970s and 80s. The exhibition will start at 6:30pm tomorrow at Radio Theatre in Downtown Cairo and then will be open daily from 11am to 9pm.

Experience the first-ever 4x4 Snow Rally in the Middle East and Africa at Ski Egypt, Mall of Egypt. Prepare to witness over ten teams race in the snow, conquering challenging obstacles on their quest to be crowned the Rally Snow Champion. The race will take place tomorrow at 4pm. Grab your tickets here.

The Italian Cultural Institute in Cairo’s Italian Cinema in Cairo film festival has begun. It's a 10-day affair, showcasing Italian films. The screenings started last week and will continue until Sunday, 9 June. They’re bringing classics and some 2023 releases to explore Italian cinematic heritage. The screenings are at Zamalek Cinema and the Italian Cultural Institute, and you can check out their schedules here and here.

El Galsa: Healing Is Not Linear is a play that will make you feel all the emotions. It navigates through a therapy session and discusses challenges, childhood, hopes, and dreams. It is quite a comfort show with moments of comedy and emotional moments. Catch the play at Rawabet Art Space tonight and tomorrow.

Cairo Flea Market is back this weekend at the Aquarium Grotto Garden in Zamalek tomorrow. The market, which includes local products and antiques, will begin at 11am to 10pm.

The Comedy Bunker’s line-up at AlMalahy is sure to leave you in stitches. Mohamed Moula, Alaa ElSheikh, and Mohamed Helmy will be taking to the stage tomorrow at 8pm. Get your tickets here to secure your seats.

Head to Bibliothek for their Arabic Book Club. This week, Bibliothek will be discussing Ahmed Morsi’s novel A Gambling on the Honor of Lady Mitzi tomorrow at 9pm.

HAPPENING NEXT WEEKEND-

Save some energy for a concert this Eid featuring Muslim, Omar Kamal, 3enba at Cairo Stadium, on Friday, 14 June. Get your tickets here.

If you’re more inclined to fusing Arab and Western tunes make your way to CJC 610. On Friday, 14 June, LA-based DJ/Producer Habibeats and Bubblegum Kollectiv will be playing all the mixed modern tunes. For reservations message their Facebook page.

Hit the sand with the must-have beach checklist

It’s (finally) beach season. If you have the time to ditch the city and embrace those sunny beach days and nights, we have the lowdown for you.

Not so fast. But before you pack your bags and hit the road, we have this summer’s kit to ensure that you’re all set for both at home and at the beach.

AT HOME-

#1- GRILLS: Investing in a solid grill is never a bad idea. Spending the day outside grilling some delicious meats and vegetables and rewarding yourself and your friends and family with a hearty home-cooked meal is a worthwhile endeavor.

WHERE TO BUY- Find a wide range of grills with different sizes, prices, and appearances at Mosha Home, Gazebo, and Homzmart ’s online store or you can opt to visit Homzmart’s branches in: New Cairo or 6th of October.

PRICE RANGE- Depending on the brand and model you chose, they range from EGP 1.16k for a simple Charcoal grill to EGP 33.5k for a COOKERZ Offset Smoker.

DELIVERY- All three stores offer delivery so you can have your grill sent directly to either your beach house or your main home.

#2- PORTABLE POOLS: Can’t be bothered to make that long walk to the beach? Why not set yourself up with a portable pool that can be easily installed and stowed away in the trunk of your car.

WHERE TO BUY-Whether you’re looking for a large, steel-frame pool to fit the whole family or a mini, inflatable pool for your little ones, you can find an array of options at Amazon, Hedeya, and Noon.

PRICE RANGE- Children’s pools will set you back EGP 130 - EGP 6k. Meanwhile, adult-sized pools will cost you between EGP 4.3k - EGP 62k.

DELIVERY- These online stores can all deliver your portable pool to your doorstep to both your beach home or main home.

AT THE BEACH-

No need to lug your entire suitcase to the beach — whether you’re a seasoned beach bum or planning your first seaside adventure — here are the must-haves to ensure you’re all set for a day of sun, sand, and relaxation.

#1- ICEBOX: Whether you’re just taking drinks, or breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for you, your little ones, and the dog, you’re bound to find an icebox that can fit your needs.

WHERE TO BUY- Our favorite contenders are the retro-ist Polarbox. But if you can’t handle the weight opt for the — somewhat — lighter CUBS cooler bags, or you can stick to the OG of all coolers: Tank. You can find them at your local supermarket: Carrefour, Gourmet, Seoudi, and Spinneys.

PRICE RANGE- Price range depends on what type, brand, and size of icebox you want from EGP 315 for a 5L Ice box to EGP 2.4k for a 32 can cooler.

#2- WAGONS: Trying to carry all those essentials from the house to the beach can be an agonizing trip — especially when your bags are full to the brim. Enter the beach wagon, akin to an open suitcase, this vehicle is ideal to move all of your essentials and keep them in one contained space.

WHERE TO BUY-They can be found online at Karteen.

NOTE- Right now Karteen has one model in one color but is planning to drop a newer and cheaper model in July so keep an eye out on their Facebook page.

PRICE RANGE- The beach wagon will set you back EGP 6.2k.

#3- BEACH ESSENTIALS- Here is a quick-fire round-up of some of the beach necessities that we should not be caught without.

BAGS: Check out The Nest, Hedeya, Bazic, and Up-Fuse.

PRICE RANGE- Prices range from EGP 380 for Mesh Beach Bag to EGP 1.3k for Jeans Tote Bag.

HATS: Beach hats that offer both sun protection and style from. Check out In Your Shoe, Qareb, and Wear Hoops for some options.

PRICE RANGE- Prices range from EGP 280 for White Bucket Hat to EGP 600 for Yellow Floppy Hat.

SUNGLASSES: Get some shades from Twizzy, COC, and Joex.

PRICE RANGE- Prices range from EGP 400 for white bubbly sunglasses to EGP 2.5k for the Vegas sunglasses.

TOWELS: One essential item goes beyond swimsuits and pool floats, the trusty towel from Ariika, Decathlon, and Ric Rac

PRICE RANGE- Prices range from EGP 332 for Kids Microfibre Poncho to EGP 1.3k for a Palm Tree Towel Print.

SWIMSUITS: Swimsuits are hard to find and it’s not a one-brand that suits all situations — which is why we curated a more in-depth guide on where to buy one.

BEACH GAMES: While building sand empires is a classic beach activity, there are also board and card games like 2ool a meme, and more physical activities such as Racket, and Spike ball.

PRICE RANGE- Prices range from EGP 80 for 2ool aw E3mel Geib cards to EGP 8.8k for Premier Spike.

Abigail is a bloody good time

? AT THE MOVIES-

Abigail was kidnapped, but this isn’t Taken. The thriller may start like a classic abduction flick — a shady crew waits for the young daughter of a bn’aire to be alone before kidnapping her for a ransom — but Abigail isn’t your average little girl. That may seem like a giveaway, but you don’t know what you’re in for. We suggest you skip the trailer.

What makes Abigail special is its ability to toe the line between thriller and comedy — the makings of a cult classic. The absurdity of certain aspects of the plot would have easily made the film a dud, but the acknowledgment of it by the characters fosters a more engrossing watch instead.

Scream queen Melissa Barrera is in her natural habitat as Joey, a member of the crew that kidnaps Abigail (Alisha Weir), alongside Dean (late Angus Cloud in his last role), Sammy (Kathryn Newton), Peter (Kevin Durand), and Frank (Dan Stevens). A severely underutilized Giancarlo Esposito, who you might know as Gustavo Fring from Breaking Bad, also makes an appearance.

A large part of the appeal behind Abigail is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. That with the addition of Tarantino-level gore is sure to give people looking to enjoy a movie a good time. It’s a popcorn flick in the best sense — a fun, entertaining ride that’s perfect for a night out (or in) with people who enjoy a scare and a chuckle.

WHERE TO WATCH- Abigail is currently on screens at VOX Cinemas at City Center Almaza and Mall of Egypt.

? FROM THE BOOKSTORE-

If books can be awarded for conspicuous titles this one would take the prize: I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokpokki by Baek Se-hee is a non-fiction book which follows the author’s real journey through anxiety and depression.

The narrative is built on conversations the author had with her psychiatrist along with some self-reflection essays where she analyzes and expands on parts of the dialogue. She dives into details regarding aspects in her past and traditional Korean culture that might have led her to feel at odds with her surroundings.

There is some humor within the raw emotions. Baek has put her experience to paper to extend this feeling to those who might feel the same way. She shows us how living comes with ups and downs and how there are, in fact, ways to manage them and understand them as part of our being.

You can find it at Diwan.

? HOT AND FRESH OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

Wood-fired meats at Kokomo. Once nestled along the serene shores of Somabay, Kokomo makes its way to the bustling city of Cairo in District 5 resurrecting the art of intuitive eating with its wood-fired wonders.

A feast for the senses. We started with the Korean lamb chops, they were tender with a slightly charred exterior that added depth to the flavor. The marinade had, what we humbly believe are Korean spices and a touch of sweetness from honey. Our senses were well satisfied with the balance of flavors that are both savory and aromatic.

Kimchi fans should check out their chicken wings. Crispy and succulent, these wings are coated in a tangy kimchi glaze that packs a punch of flavor. The kimchi adds a subtle heat and acidity, complemented by the charred notes from the grill.

Food aside, the ambiance was one of the highlights. Kokomo resembles a modern Viking mead hall. The wooden beams, high ceilings and the flickering glow of the wood-fired oven cast a warm embrace.

PRO TIP- You must reserve using their online reservation system here or call their number on their Instagram.

? Per person: 600-1000

? Outdoor seating: No

? Alcohol: Yes

? Accessibility friendly: Yes

The Prince of Persia… again

Two Prince of Persia games in one year? If Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was just a little too modern for you Prince of Persia purists, The Rogue Prince of Persia is sure to satisfy your demands. Instead of strategy and puzzles, this iteration of the Prince of Persia is a roguelike. As the prince, you get to hack and slash your way through invading Huns threatening to take over your kingdom.

Time and time again…it’s no secret that the Prince of Persia series has a soft spot for time manipulation. But this time around, it plays well into the roguelike format. The prince is equipped with a device that lets him reverse time as needed — a convenient and clever way to frame the roguelike’s death mechanics. While some players may resent the cyclical gameplay (especially if they’re prone to dying), we’re happy to revisit the beautiful graphics and backgrounds of the scroller.

Early access comes with its cons. If you’re looking for inventive gameplay and a Hades -level plot, you might want to wait to see what the full-access version looks like. But what this technically unfinished version lacks in plot, it makes up for with silky smooth combat. Parkouring off walls, kicking enemies off ledges 300 style, and the constant barrage of attacks with various weapons work without a hitch.

? Rating: 7/10 on Steam.

⌛ Hours of gameplay: 2 hours for the main story… If you don’t die at all.

? Replay value: 6/10.

? Platforms: Steam for PC.

? Price: USD 15.99.

Go down history’s worst rabbit hole

Take a close look at the bizarre history of the most intimidating people. On Behind the Bastards, host Robert Evans unpacks everything we know (and don’t know) about infamous or controversial figures across the history of mankind, from dictators to cult leaders — and people you didn’t even know about — who wreaked havoc.

Did you know that Hitler was obsessed with a YA fiction series? That Saddam Hussein was a romance novelist? What is Steve Jobs’ deepest darkest secret? Evans, a journalist by trade, asks the big questions as well as the small. What kind of parents do dictators make? While the host dives deep into the atrocities these people have committed, he finds absurd humor in the face of darkness. His comedic timing and sharp wit lighten the mood.

Your inner-geek will be tickled. The episodes are well-researched, often featuring interviews with historians and journalists who can’t wait to share the nitty gritty details about these historical figures. Evans posts all the links and sources to the information shared on each episode on the podcast website, just in case any listeners want to factcheck the often absurd inner lives of these horrible people.

Make the time: While the episodes are deeply engrossing, you might want to play around with the available playback settings as the episodes are often lengthy, with an average runtime of between 50 minutes to 1.5 hours. One episode even clocked in over three hours of runtime.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can tune into Behind the Bastards on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, YouTube, Audible, and Google Podcasts.

THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

JUNE

6-8 June (Thursday-Saturday): El Galsa: Healing Is Not Linear at Rawabet Art Space.

6-7 June (Thursday-Friday): The Greek National Opera Βallet at Cairo Opera House.

4-7 June (Tuesday-Friday): Africa Health ExCon at Egypt International Exhibition Center.

7 June (Friday): Celebrating 40 Years of Omar Khairat at Abdeen Palace.

8 June (Saturday): 4x4 Snow Challenge Event at Ski Egypt.

8 June (Saturday): Sunset Sunrise X HVOB Concert at CLSTR 11.

8 June (Saturday): Comedy Bunker At ElMalahy.

8 June (Saturday): Arabic Book Club discussion at Bibliothek.

9 June (Sunday): Wael Abed book signing at Bibliothek.

15-19 June (Saturday-Wednesday): Eid El Adha (TBC).

16 (Sunday): Memo at Grand Nile Tower Hotel.

17 June (Monday): Tamer Hosny concert at Zed East.

25 June (Tuesday): English Book Club discussion at Bibliothek.

26 June (Wednesday): Ali El Haggar concert at ElSawy Culturewheel.

27 June (Thursday): Cyberx Egypt Summit & Awards 2024 at Grand Nile Tower.

27-29 June (Thursday-Saturday): Fabrica's I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change musical at Rawabet Art Space.

30 June (Sunday): June 30 Revolution Day (TBC).

JULY

7 July (Sunday): National holiday in observance of Islamic New Year (TBC).

16-17 July (Sunday-Monday): Cairo Consultants Forum 2024 at Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski.

23 July (Tuesday): Revolution Day (TBC).

SEPTEMBER

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

OCTOBER

6 October (Sunday): Armed Forces Day.

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

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