The Central Bank of Egypt’s reform programme has made significant improvements to the sector but a turbulent economic environment is creating challenges. Writer Nadine Marroushi.

The successful transformation of Egypt’s banking sector has hit trouble. Charlie Corbett reports on how global financial turmoil and soaring inflation have hit the banks’ consolidation efforts.

The government’s reforms and privatisation plans have paid off to create a banking sector that is full of activity, writes Nadine Marroushi in Cairo.

Aided by expertise learnt in the US, those in charge of the Cairo and Alexandria Stock Exchange have constructed a highly efficient operation, says Silvia Pavoni .

National Bank of Kuwait’s (NBK) winning tender bid last month to buy Egypt’s Al-Watany Bank for $516m reflects not only NBK’s regional expansion strategy but also growing confidence in the Egyptian banking system.

Public and private sector banks have been restructured on the long journey to banking sector reform, but major challenges remain, writes Nadine Marroushi.

Egypt is lining up its state-owned banks at the privatisation starting block. Nick Kochan reports on the prospects.

Egypt’s minister of finance Youssef Boutros-Ghali tells Nick Kochan that the economy is ripe for investment.

With reformers at the helm of a buoyant economy, Egypt is instilling confidence in rating agencies and markets with its new commercial spirit and changes in taxation, and banks are reaping the benefits. Nick Kochan reports from Sharm el Sheikh.

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Adbel Salam El Anwar, Chairman & CEO