FEAS Yearbook FEAS Yearbook 2010 | Page 86

ANNUAL REPORT JUNE 2010 FEDERATION OF EURO-ASIAN STOCK EXCHANGES EGYPTIAN EXCHANGE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS Besides the minor political tension that has been going on in the region, Egypt has maintained a stable political environment during 2009 that is considered investor friendly. Projections were limiting the economic growth rate between 3-4% but the Egyptian economy has grew by 4.7% during fiscal year 2008/2009, recording one of the best growth rates among emerging countries. On the economic front, the Egyptian economy has outbalanced the impact of the global financial crisis throughout year 2009 mainly on the back of the measures undertaken by the Egyptian government, including the US$ 3 billion subsidy to support the infrastructure projects and to stimulate the economy as well as rising the domestic demand by declining commodity prices. In addition, the country’s sound banking system, whereby high risk investments is rejected, have helped to alleviate the effect of the crisis. Moreover, the Central Bank has reduced the overnight deposit and lending rates six consecutive times during 2009 to reach 8.25% for deposits and 9.75% for lending, which in turn decreased the inflation rate to reach 10% during 2009 down from 18% the previous year. The FDIs highly surpassed expectations by 27% to record US$8.1 billion in fiscal year 08/09 highlighting investors' confidence in Egypt's potential. Furthermore, Egypt's Net International Reserves reached US$ 34.2 billion in December 2009, compared to US$ 34.1 billion last year. However, like the rest of the world, Egypt faced a fall in international trade and external demand which has negatively affected Egypt's Export, Suez Canal and tourism proceeds, which have collectively materialized a negative Balance of Payments in fiscal year 2008/2009. Despite exposure to the consequences of global imbalances in international prices and effects of the global financial turmoil during 2008/2009, the Egyptian government managed to remain the budget deficit stabilizing at 6.9%.* * Information provided by EGX Key Information Contacts Ministry of Finance www.mof.gov.eg Ministry of Investment www.investment.gov.eg Central Bank of Egypt www.cbe.org.eg Egyptian Financial Supervisory Authority www.efsa.gov.eg Misr for Clearing, Depository and Central Registry www.mcsd.com.eg SMEs Market (NILEX) www.nilex.egyptse.com 2008/09-ORIGINS OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (%) 2008/09-COMPONENTS OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (%) Manufacturing Mining (incl. oil & gas) Agriculture Other Wholesale & Retail Trade General government Transportation 14.34 Private consumption Government consumption Gross fixed investment Exports of goods & services Imports of goods & services Changes in stocks 80 13.37 70 60 10.89 16.10 50 40 8.54 30 20 8.03 28.73 PAGE 82 10 0