AGP Executive Report

Industrial Push in Sinai: Walid Gamal El Din laid the foundation for India’s Jai Dadi Group’s $16m Nile Ferro Alloys plant in East Ismailia’s Technology Valley, targeting silico-manganese and ferroalloys for heavy industry and rail components, with about 300 direct jobs. Crackdown on Idle Factories: Egypt’s IDA-led committee reclaimed industrial land and ready-built factory units from non-compliant investors across Cairo and Alexandria, citing long delays and missed construction/production deadlines. Finance Watch: Al Ahly Pharos completed the third securitised bond issuance for Valu under its eighth programme, worth EGP 744m in two tranches. IMF Update: Gulf markets tracked the IMF’s staff-level agreement with Egypt that could unlock about $1.6bn. World Cup Spotlight: Egypt’s football story stays in the headlines as Australia prepares for its knockout clash with Egypt, with talk turning to Salah fitness and penalty readiness.

IMF Deal for Egypt: The IMF reached a staff-level agreement with Egypt that clears the way for a $1.6 billion disbursement, as the Fund weighs inflation pressures and warns more reforms are still needed. Electricity Watch: Egypt’s electricity minister says there will be no summer power cuts and denies any household tariff hike from July 1, while noting a 20% surcharge for some high-consumption commercial and service activities during peak hours. Gaza Talks in Cairo: Hamas officials arrived in Cairo for talks on implementing the Gaza ceasefire, focusing on stopping violations and ensuring entry of materials to repair hospitals and infrastructure. Egyptian Exchange Moves: Three petroleum firms—ENPPI, Elab, and PMS—were temporarily listed on the EGX with expectations they will trade in USD as part of the state IPO push; Misr Insurance Holding also approved offering 20% of Misr Life Insurance on the EGX. Tourism & Heritage: Egypt’s tourism minister met UNESCO’s chief in Paris to expand cooperation on cultural heritage protection and sustainable tourism. World Cup Politics: Iran complained its World Cup treatment “undermined fairness,” after a U.S. homeland security official said he was “so happy” about Iran’s elimination.

IMF Deal for Egypt: The IMF says it has reached a staff-level agreement with Egypt on reviews of two financing arrangements, potentially unlocking about $1.6bn once approved, while noting growth held up and inflation remains a key risk. Startup Funding Overhaul: Egypt’s investment and foreign trade minister says the country is updating startup funding rules (convertible securities and valuation methods) and studying a new sovereign fund mechanism to bridge late-stage financing gaps. Private Investment Push: Egypt’s planning minister targets private sector participation of about 59% of total investment in FY2026/27, alongside incentives to strengthen value chains and local industry. E-Waste Recycling Grant: Egypt and Switzerland signed a $1.7m grant to build a national system for sustainable e-waste management and support a circular economy, with special focus on cooling equipment. World Cup—Egypt on the Pitch: Egypt’s run continues after a dramatic 1-1 Pride Match draw with Iran, with Mohamed Salah’s hamstring status still a major storyline ahead of the knockout clash.

Egypt-UK Talks: Egypt’s FM Badr Abdelatty spoke by phone with UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, agreeing to deepen political, economic and investment cooperation, boost Egyptian exports under the Egypt-UK deal, and keep pushing U.S.-Iran negotiations for regional stability. Energy & Industry: SANY signed an MoU with Egypt’s electricity transmission and renewable energy bodies to build Egypt’s first wind turbine manufacturing plant in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and develop a 2,000 MW wind project in the North Gulf of Suez; meanwhile Sterling & Wilson Renewable Energy (with Hassan Allam) won a USD 560m order for a 1,000 MWac solar PV project with 600 MWh storage in West Minya. Climate Policy Spotlight: Architect Sarah El Battouty became the first Egyptian woman to join the Earthshot Prize Cities & States Taskforce, aiming to scale local urban climate solutions by linking public projects to global finance. World Cup Focus: Egypt’s knockout run continues after qualifying from Group G; attention now turns to Round of 32 matchups and the wider tournament schedule.

World Cup Round of 32: Australia’s Socceroos lock in a rematch with Egypt after Paraguay held them 0-0, with 18-year-old Lucas Herrington saying he’s focused on the Dallas clash despite reports of interest from Barcelona and Liverpool. Egypt Sports Spotlight: Egypt’s Mohamed Salah remains a fitness doubt after a hamstring strain, while Australia’s Connor Metcalfe frames the game as personal “revenge” after Egypt ended an Olympic dream in Tokyo. Egypt in Global Affairs: Egypt’s water minister Hani Sewilam urged a global partnership and more financing for non-conventional water projects at the World Water Forum. Entrepreneurship & Investment: Egypt will host the Global Entrepreneurship Festival in November 2026, aiming for 10,000+ participants. Business/Health: Arcera Life Sciences and Daewoong expand their partnership to bring Enavogliflozin to the Middle East. Regional Diplomacy: The US and Iran agreed to halt hostilities in the Gulf and renew talks on Hormuz, with vessels set to move freely.

World Cup Knockouts: The Round of 32 is set after a record group stage, with Africa making history by sending nine teams through; the spotlight now turns to win-or-go-home fixtures starting Sunday, including Australia vs Egypt in Dallas. Egypt-Iran Football Drama: Egypt’s historic qualification came after a tense 1-1 “Pride Match” in Seattle, with Salah’s fitness still a key question heading into the knockouts. Renewables Investment: Egypt’s investment minister met Norway’s Scatec on a $5bn expansion plan spanning renewables, desalination, green hydrogen and clean data centers. Entrepreneurship Push: Egypt announced Cairo will host GEF 2026 (Nov 6–8), positioning it as a global hub for startups and funding. Foreign Policy Coordination: FM Badr Abdelatty met parliament speaker Hisham Badawy, stressing ongoing legislative oversight and consular coordination. Gold & Silver Watch: Egypt’s silver market slid sharply, with local prices down about 8.9% over the week amid a stronger dollar. El-Sisi Anniversary Book: Egypt’s National Press Authority will publish a two-part biography of President El-Sisi for the 30 June anniversary.

World Cup Knockouts Set: The 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered the Round of 32, with Egypt qualifying for the knockout stage for the first time after a dramatic 1-1 draw with Iran; Egypt will now face Australia in the next round, but the big worry is Mohamed Salah’s hamstring strain after he was forced off late in the group match. Group Drama in Group J: Algeria and Austria stunned everyone with a 3-3 stoppage-time thriller, with Riyad Mahrez scoring late for Algeria before Sasa Kalajdzic equalized for Austria—eliminating Iran. Africa’s Historic Run: Congo and Algeria joined Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cape Verde and Egypt as nine African teams heading to the knockouts, setting a new continental record. Messi Makes History: Lionel Messi extended his World Cup scoring streak to seven straight games as Argentina beat Jordan. Pride Politics in the Background: Pride celebrations continue to headline the tournament’s cultural debate, with major parades planned in New York and San Francisco.

World Cup Shockwave for Egypt: Egypt made history by reaching the Round of 32 for the first time, drawing Iran 1-1 in Seattle after Mahmoud Saber scored early and a late Iranian goal was ruled out by VAR for offside. Egypt finished second in Group G behind Belgium, setting up a Round of 32 clash with Australia. Group G Twist: Belgium bounced back in style, thrashing New Zealand 5-1 with Leandro Trossard scoring twice to top the group on goal difference. Iran-US Tensions Spill Over: Iran’s captain Mehdi Taremi called the tournament “a disaster,” complaining about FIFA and logistics issues, including visa problems for support staff. Sports Meets Politics in Seattle: The Egypt-Iran match drew protests and Pride-related controversy, with demonstrations timed around the game and FIFA allowing rainbow flags despite objections. Next Up for Egypt: Mohamed Salah’s fitness is under assessment after he asked to be substituted, as Egypt prepares for knockout football.

World Cup Group G: Egypt and Iran played out a 1-1 draw in Seattle, with VAR ruling out a late Iran goal, leaving Egypt qualified second while Iran faces an anxious wait for third-place results. Belgium’s surge: In the other Group G match, Belgium thrashed New Zealand 5-1 to top the group and set up a Round of 32 clash. “Pride Match” row: The Egypt-Iran game went ahead with rainbow flags allowed inside Lumen Field despite objections from both federations, as protests and PrideFest activities shaped a tense but largely peaceful atmosphere. Diplomacy by phone: Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi spoke with Egypt’s counterpart Badr Abdelatty, focusing on de-escalation and keeping maritime trade and energy flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. Agriculture: Egypt reported wheat imports down by 700,000 tonnes to about 12.5 million, as domestic output rose above 10 million tonnes.

World Cup Pride row in Seattle: FIFA has greenlit rainbow flags for the Egypt-Iran “Pride Match” at Lumen Field, despite protests from both federations, while organizers say the event will stay inclusive without official Pride branding inside the stadium. Egypt vs Iran, Group G stakes: With Group G still tight, Friday’s Egypt-Iran clash (11 p.m.) is framed as a must-watch decider as teams chase knockout survival. Transport upgrade in Cairo: Egypt begins the second phase of the East Nile Monorail on Saturday, extending the full 56.5-km line with new stations from Cairo Stadium to the City of Justice, plus daily operating hours and Friday/Saturday ticket discounts. Immigration pressure on families: A South Sudanese father in Egypt says his wife was detained and deported, leaving him struggling to care for their children after intensified enforcement against undocumented foreigners. Egypt business/finance: AM Best affirms Misr Insurance Company’s ratings with a stable outlook, citing strong balance-sheet strength and capital buffers. Health and science lens: A new op-ed argues Africa’s access to GLP-1 weight-loss/diabetes drugs is being slowed by patent barriers, echoing lessons from COVID-19.

Gaza Diplomacy: Egypt urged the international community to intensify efforts to complete the first phase of Trump’s Gaza plan and move to the second, calling for sustained humanitarian aid, Gaza recovery and reconstruction, support for the National Committee to run Gaza from inside the enclave, and faster deployment of an international stabilisation force to monitor the ceasefire. World Cup—Egypt-Iran Build-Up: FIFA confirmed rainbow flags will be allowed at the Egypt vs Iran “Pride Match” in Seattle despite protests from both countries, while Iran’s camp tried to keep pre-match talk focused only on football. World Cup—Socceroos Advance: Australia booked a Round of 32 spot after a 0-0 draw with Paraguay, setting up a knockout clash against the Group G runner-up—potentially Egypt, Iran, Belgium or New Zealand—depending on Friday’s results. Local Spotlight: Seattle’s Pride Match is expected to draw rainbow flags and inclusivity messaging, even as officials and fans navigate political pushback. Business & Finance: Egypt’s economy growth and multiple financing deals continue to feature alongside broader regional investment moves, including new credit access partnerships in e-commerce markets.

World Cup Midpoint Buzz: FIFA says the tournament is past its halfway mark, with 54 of 104 matches done and the U.S. already through to the Round of 32 as stars like Messi and Mbappé rack up goals. Egypt-Iran Pride Clash: FIFA cleared rainbow flags for Egypt vs Iran in Seattle’s “Pride Match,” despite objections from both teams over LGBTQ penalties at home. Egypt Football Focus: Egypt’s next Group G test is framed as a “life or death” game by Iran legend Sadegh Varmiziar ahead of the match. Egypt Sports Schedule: FIFA released the June 25 Day 15 group-stage schedule, including Egypt vs Iran in the late slot. Egypt Economy & Finance: Egypt’s economy grew 5% in Q3 FY2025/26, while the finance ministry pushes reforms on debt sustainability and African supply chains. Renewables Push: Egypt signed deals tied to wind and green industry, including steps toward its first wind turbine factory. Shipping & Security: Strait of Hormuz evacuation corridors are being discussed as mines and residual attack risks keep trade planners on edge.

World Cup & Egypt’s Road to Seattle: Egypt’s squad faced travel friction ahead of the Egypt-Iran “Pride Match” in Seattle, with reports of restrictions and fan-zone disruptions as the matchday debate over rainbow symbols escalated. Egypt Football Culture: A new look at Egypt’s ultras shows how Al Ahly supporters became a force in the 2011 revolution, then faced a brutal crackdown after Port Said in 2012. Egypt Economy & Investment: Egypt is pushing to improve its global mining ranking to win investor confidence, while the finance minister urged African supply chains and debt-sustainability reforms at global forums. Health Financing: Egypt signed €300m health financing agreements with France and the EU to back universal health insurance and primary care. Energy & Transport: Egypt is accelerating EV adoption to cut a $21bn petroleum import bill, and is also moving ahead with major wind power plans. Regional Diplomacy: Egypt’s FM called for African supply-chain cooperation and debt reforms, while Egypt’s finance chief met AU envoy Moussa Faki on mobilising private capital for integration.

VAT Overhaul: Egypt’s House of Representatives approved amendments to the VAT law, cutting medical equipment VAT to 5% (from 14%), speeding VAT refunds (excess credits refund window cut to 4 months), and extending VAT suspension for industrial machinery to 4 years; dialysis-related items were exempted and some leasing services were adjusted. Renewables Push: Egypt moved ahead with major wind plans, including signing MoUs for the country’s first wind turbine factory and a 2,000-MW wind farm, as officials also discussed expanding renewable energy projects. Archaeology in the Delta: Egyptian archaeologists uncovered a Greco-Roman cemetery at Tell Kom Aziza in the Nile Delta, spanning about 332 B.C. to 395 A.D., showing changing burial practices from simple pits to mudbrick graves and painted coffins. Refugee Crackdown: A Reuters report described Sudanese refugees detained in Cairo jails after a crackdown, with families alleging beatings and extortion and saying one detainee died of pneumonia. World Cup Politics: In Seattle, organizers say Egypt-Iran’s “Pride Match” will go ahead despite Egypt’s Football Association urging FIFA to block Pride-related activities. Sports Spotlight: Egypt’s historic World Cup win over New Zealand continues to dominate coverage as the tournament heads deeper into group-stage drama.

World Cup Focus: Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz called the Black Stars’ 0-0 draw with England a “fair result,” praising disciplined defending and saying the aim was to frustrate early before growing into the match as both teams head into the final group round still in contention. Egypt-Iran Build-Up: Ahead of Friday’s Egypt vs Iran match in Seattle, U.S. officials have eased travel rules so Iran can arrive two days early, while Seattle is preparing for protests and extra security around the game. Regional Diplomacy: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian urged a new regional security structure among Muslim nations during talks in Pakistan, with PM Shehbaz Sharif stressing Islamabad’s mediation role and promising to “never let Iran down.” Cybersecurity: OpenAI says it has built an AI tool that can spot software vulnerabilities with 85.6% accuracy and recommend fixes, aiming to speed up digital defense. Energy/Business: Dana Gas says overdue receivables in Egypt have been cleared and reports stronger drilling results, boosting confidence for further investment.

Border Security: Egypt’s Southern Military Region near the Sudan border arrested 223 suspects, including 136 foreigners, in a crackdown targeting weapons and drug trafficking, illegal gold mining, and undocumented migration, seizing vehicles, communications gear, cash, and unlicensed arms. Courtroom Fallout: Italian prosecutors in Rome sought life and long jail terms for four Egyptian security officials over the 2016 kidnapping, torture and murder of Italian student Giulio Regeni, with the case continuing in absentia after Egypt denied state involvement. Health & Infrastructure: Egypt’s Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar reviewed upgrades across teaching hospitals and institutes, highlighting the launch of Ismailia Cancer Hospital and new cancer services outside Cairo. Gold Watch: Gold prices in Egypt slid sharply, with 21-karat gold hitting about EGP 5,850 per gram as global bullion weakened and local currency stability kept the focus on international moves. World Cup Logistics: DHS said Iran will be allowed into the US for its Egypt match in Seattle two days before kick-off, after earlier travel restrictions drew complaints. Regional Diplomacy: Egypt and Morocco’s foreign ministers discussed Libya, the Palestinian cause, and Sudan, stressing coordination for regional stability.