Press Release No. 17/282

Statement by the IMF Managing Director on Egypt

July 13, 2017

Ms. Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued the following statement after Executive Board’s approval for the First Review of Egypt’s Extended Fund Facility which allows the disbursement of about $1.25 billion:

“I would like to congratulate the people of Egypt and the authorities for their success in pursuing their ambitious economic reform program. The approval by the IMF Executive Board of the First Review of the program shows the IMF’s strong support for Egypt in these efforts. We believe that these efforts will yield results. The government and the central bank have taken the right measures to rein in inflation, reduce the budget deficit, and set the Egyptian economy on a path to stability and growth. I am very pleased that the government has taken and will continue to take measures to protect the poor and vulnerable groups, including through increasing social spending. 

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Egypt to help unleash its economic potential and achieve higher and more inclusive growth that benefits all the Egyptians.”