This report summarizes key findings and recommendations of two off-site visits made by Mr. Benoit Wiest, Public Financial Management Advisor at METAC, and Ms. Katja Funke, Expert, between December 2020 and April 2021. The mission worked with the Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) unit to develop...

The economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year has been well-managed by the authorities. Timely and prudent fiscal and monetary easing shielded the economy from the full brunt of the crisis, while alleviating the health and social impact of the shock. Sound economic...

The growth impact of the COVID-19 crisis has so far been less severe than expected, as strong consumption helped offset weak tourism and investment. Measures taken to address the health and social needs and support the sectors most directly affected by the crisis appear to have helped mitigate...

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically disrupted people's lives, livelihoods, and economic conditions. Growth is expected to slow considerably in both 2019/20 and 2020/21 as tourism is at a standstill and domestic activity is expected to significantly slow. The external accounts are expected to...

Egypt's hard-won macroeconomic stability achieved during the three-year arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) now faces a significant disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Growth is expected to slow in both FY2019/20 and FY2020/21 as tourism has been halted and domestic activity...

This paper discusses Egypt's Request for Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The EFF-supported program will help Egypt restore macroeconomic stability and promote inclusive growth. The risks to the program mainly emerge from the difficulties inherent in implementing a...

This 2017 Article IV Consultation highlights that Egypt's reform program, supported by the Extended Fund Facility arrangement, has played a critical role in stabilizing the economy. By the end of 2015/16, a long-standing and ultimately unsustainable policy mix had resulted in low growth and...

This paper discusses Argentina's Fourth Review under the Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The paper highlights that Egypt's macroeconomic situation has improved markedly since the initiation of the authorities' reform program in November 2016. The liberalization of...

Macroeconomic conditions have continued to improve during 2017/18, with external and fiscal deficits narrowing, inflation and unemployment declining, and growth accelerating. The near-term growth outlook is favorable, supported by the recovery in tourism and rising natural gas production, while...

This paper discusses Egypt's First Review Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Requests for Waivers for Nonobservance and Applicability of Performance Criteria (PCs). All quantitative PCs for December 2016 were met, but a large depreciation of the pound is...