Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 5415 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
QA
YM YI YE

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 09CAIRO1149, EGYPT'S ECONOMY: JUNE 22 WEEKLY PRESS ROUND-UP

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09CAIRO1149.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
09CAIRO1149 2009-06-22 10:10 2011-02-16 21:09 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Cairo
VZCZCXYZ0004
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHEG #1149 1731050
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221050Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2904
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
UNCLAS CAIRO 001149 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ELA 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: ECON EINV EFIN ETRD ENRG PGOV EG
SUBJECT:  EGYPT'S ECONOMY:  JUNE 22 WEEKLY PRESS ROUND-UP 
 
REF:  N/A 
 
1.(U) The following are notable economic news stories that appeared over the past week in the Egyptian press: -------------------------------- Central Bank Cuts Interest Rates --------------------------------

2.(U) The Central Bank of Egypt's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided June 18 to cut both the benchmark overnight deposit and overnight lending rates by 50 basis points to 9% and 10.5%, respectively. The discount rate was also cut by 50 basis points to 9%. This is the fourth time that the MPC has cut interest rates this year. In its statement, the MPC indicated that, with slowing domestic growth and declining inflation, it would continue to take measures to contain the effects of the global economic crisis, so long as they do not conflict with price stability objectives. (Ahram and CI-Capital, 6/20/2009 and 6/21/2009) ------------------------ Tourism Revenue Declines ------------------------

3.(U) Egypt's revenue from tourism fell 17.3% to US$2.19 billion in the third quarter of FY2008/09 compared to the same period during the previous fiscal year. The hotel industry was particularly hard hit. The Chairman of the Egyptian Hotel Association in South Sinai, Ahmed Balbaa, stated that revenues of Egyptian hotels declined by 30-40% over the past nine months due to the global economic slowdown. Wassim Mohieldin, Chairman of the Egyptian Hotel Association, said that 90% of Egypt's hotels have reduced their prices, which has contributed to lower tourism revenues. (Al Mal, 6/17/2009) ----------------------------- Natural Gas Subsidies Slashed -----------------------------

4.(U) Reports indicate that the Government of Egypt has reduced natural gas subsidies in the coming year's budget by 77%, from LE6.5 billion (US$1.16 billion) to LE1.5 billion (US$268 million). At the same time, the Ministry of Finance has reportedly ruled out raising the prices of electricity and water before this year's growth rate targets are achieved. (Al Masry Al Youm, 6/15/2009) ------------------ Unemployment Rises ------------------

5.(U) The Government of Egypt announced that the unemployment rate rose to 9.3% from 8.6% during the first quarter of 2009. The official report, which studies the impact of the global economic crisis on Egypt, also pointed to a 15% decline in remittances during the same period, as well as declines in tourism revenues, domestic consumption, and private sector growth. Presented by the Minister for Economic Development, Othman Mohamed Othman, the report attributes the rise in unemployment to both increasing numbers of Egyptian workers returning from abroad and increasing layoffs domestically. It also indicated that food prices remain high despite declining inflation, and that Suez Canal revenues, while down sharply compared to last year, have started to improve slightly. (Al Masry Al Youm, 6/14/2009) SCOBEY