Alexandre Goudineau
Final Issue: Policies of the former regime linger, much to detriment of the economy
Business
April 25, 2013
Final Issue: Policies of the former regime linger, much to detriment of the economy
This piece was written for Egypt Independent's final weekly print edition, which was banned from going to press. We offer…
IMF and Egypt: No news is more of the same
Business
April 22, 2013
IMF and Egypt: No news is more of the same
In a statement released on 21 April, the International Monetary Fund said that its Managing Director Christine Lagarde met with…
Rushed customs tariffs hike may be ‘too little, too late’
Business
April 11, 2013
Rushed customs tariffs hike may be ‘too little, too late’
President Mohamed Morsy issued a decree in late March that increased custom duties on 100 luxury products, an unsurprising move…
Sukuk law in state of flux until Al-Azhar review
Business
April 4, 2013
Sukuk law in state of flux until Al-Azhar review
The Shura Council approved in late March a law allowing the issuance of sukuk, or Islamic bonds, which the heavily…
New taxes in Egypt’s latest economic program will do little to spur recovery
Business
March 28, 2013
New taxes in Egypt’s latest economic program will do little to spur recovery
It’s easy to lose track of how many economic plans the government has presented since President Mohamed Morsy’s election, the…
Cement price surge puts a damper on construction materials sector
Business
March 26, 2013
Cement price surge puts a damper on construction materials sector
As inflation and energy shortages strike Egypt’s economy, construction materials producers are feeling the crunch. The cement industry, in particular,…
For Egypt and Iraq, economic cooperation overshadows political talk
Business
March 25, 2013
For Egypt and Iraq, economic cooperation overshadows political talk
Prime Minister Hesham Qandil’s recent visit to Iraq may mark the beginning of a new era in a history of…
Egypt’s fuel shortages demonstrate perfect storm of economic pressures
Business
March 4, 2013
Egypt’s fuel shortages demonstrate perfect storm of economic pressures
Long lines at gas stations and electricity blackouts have become a part of everyday life for most Egyptians in the…
In near future, experts see a wave of drastic price increases
Business
February 10, 2013
In near future, experts see a wave of drastic price increases
As the country’s economic crisis continues to administer its blistering effects on businesses and consumers, industry insiders and experts are…
As remittances grow, government clambers for more
Business
February 3, 2013
As remittances grow, government clambers for more
As money sent home from Egyptians abroad reaches a record level, President Mohamed Morsy and his government have pinpointed this…
Tourism recovery likely to remain turbulent this year
Business
January 3, 2013
Tourism recovery likely to remain turbulent this year
Mohamed, 24, studied tourism and graduated two years ago. The timing was unfortunate. By February 2011 — during and immediately…
Electricity price hikes a necessity, says official; but will hit poor the hardest
Business
December 21, 2012
Electricity price hikes a necessity, says official; but will hit poor the hardest
A recent government hike in electricity prices means Egyptians will soon be paying more to switch on a lamp or…
Franchises are on the rise, despite a rough economy
Business
November 24, 2012
Franchises are on the rise, despite a rough economy
Egyptian shoppers are likely to see even more big-name brands gracing their malls and shopping centers in the coming years,…
In lifting 95-octane subsidy, government takes small bite out of deficit
Business
November 14, 2012
In lifting 95-octane subsidy, government takes small bite out of deficit
The Egyptian government has announced that it will lift the subsidy on 95-octane gasoline in the coming week, taking the…
Recent graduates hit hardest by persistent unemployment
Business
November 3, 2012
Recent graduates hit hardest by persistent unemployment
For the thousands of young men and women who filled Tahrir Square nearly two years ago, youth unemployment was a…
Economists see folly in postponed shop closing law
Business
November 2, 2012
Economists see folly in postponed shop closing law
The Wednesday decision by Local Development Minister Ahmed Zaki Abdeen to postpone indefinitely the law that would close shops at…
Egypt’s unbalance of payments
Business
October 22, 2012
Egypt’s unbalance of payments
It’s no secret that Egypt’s current government is having trouble financing its spending. But the government’s troubles reflect a greater…
In call center industry, obstacles and potential
Business
October 16, 2012
In call center industry, obstacles and potential
The call center industry was one of the trademarks of Egypt's development strategy throughout the 2000s. Experts pointed to it…
Government pursues ways to increase tax revenue
Business
October 15, 2012
Government pursues ways to increase tax revenue
The government will not raise taxes but will instead rely on foreign investment to remedy the country’s cash flow problem,…
Amid economic downturn, a furniture company finds success
Business
October 4, 2012
Amid economic downturn, a furniture company finds success
The nation may be going through the most severe economic slowdown of the past decade, but some businesses have managed…