{"id":681911,"date":"2026-01-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/?p=681911"},"modified":"2026-01-19T13:28:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T13:28:40","slug":"imf-shrugs-off-regional-tensions-to-hike-egypt-growth-forecasts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/2026\/01\/19\/imf-shrugs-off-regional-tensions-to-hike-egypt-growth-forecasts\/","title":{"rendered":"IMF shrugs off regional tensions to hike Egypt growth forecasts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good afternoon, friends.<\/strong> It\u2019s a calm Monday, with the news cycle seemingly taking a breather. The showdown between Trump and the EU is still dominating global headlines, and at home, we\u2019re taking a look at the IMF\u2019s revised growth forecast for Egypt\u2019s real GDP. Also today: we\u2019re checking out Maadi\u2019s latest climbing gym, and telling you if the new Game of Thrones spin-off show is worth your time.<\/p>\n

AND<\/strong>- We\u2019re in for a long weekend next week.<\/strong> Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly declared Thursday, 29 January \u2014 instead of Sunday, 25 January \u2014 a paid holiday in observance of the 25 January Revolution and Police Day for both public and private sector workers, according to a cabinet statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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THE BIG STORY TODAY-<\/p>\n

? The International Monetary Fund has upped its GDP forecasts for <\/strong>the current fiscal year to 4.7%<\/strong>, an increase of 0.2 percentage points from its October projection<\/a>, according to its latest World Economic Outlook (pdf)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But what really stands out is the Fund\u2019s 0.7 percentage point upward revision for the next <\/strong>fiscal year<\/strong>, bringing the headline rate to a forecasted 5.4%.<\/p>\n

The IMF\u2019s two upgrades signal a growing consensus that the government\u2019s reform <\/strong>agenda is bearing fruit<\/strong> and that the economic fallout from regional conflicts and tensions may not be as bad as once feared. <\/p>\n

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THE BIG STORY ABROAD-<\/p>\n

? US <\/strong>President Donald Trump\u2019s antics \u2014 and their consequences <\/strong>\u2014 are still leading the news cycle <\/strong>as Europe readies a package of retaliatory tariffs, potentially worth EUR 93 bn, should Trump follow through with his 10% tariff threat. France reportedly pushed for the EU to use its strongest economic counter-threat: the Anti-Coercion Instrument (ACI) \u2014 otherwise known as the \u201ctrade bazooka,\u201d which could potentially restrict US access to EU markets.<\/p>\n

Geopolitical tensions have pushed demand for safe-haven investments<\/strong>, with gold jumping 1.6% to near USD 4.7k per ounce, and silver up 3.4% \u2014 both metals hitting new highs. European and US stock futures took a hit as the USD weakened against its peers.<\/p>\n

^^Read more on: Bloomberg<\/a> and CNBC here<\/a> and here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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