Egypt’s Minister of the Environment, Yasmine Fouad; held a meeting with representatives of a German company specialising in extended product liability systems to discuss ways to create a supportive climate for moving forward in preparing a national system for extended product liability and reducing the use of single-use plastic bags. This came in the presence of Ali Abu Sunna, the Chief of the Environmental Affairs Agency, Tariq Al-Arabi, the Head of the Waste Management Regulatory Agency, and a number of representatives of the Ministry of Environment and experts. During the meeting, Fouad reviewed one of the models of the extended product liability system proposed in the field of plastic waste and packaging and the circulation of single-use plastic bags. For his part, the representative of the German company confirmed that the climate in Egypt is promising for implementing the policy of extended product liability, especially with the steps taken by the Egyptian state recently in developing the waste management system. The minister added that the planning, regulatory and oversight role of the Waste Management Regulatory Agency includes studying the most appropriate ways and mechanisms to implement the extended product liability policy in a way that benefits the producer, the consumer and the environment at the same time.

The Computing Incident Response Team for the Financial Sector (EG-FinCIRT) of the Central Bank of Egypt has successfully obtained the accreditation and membership of the Global Forum Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST), after fulfilling all technical and organizational requirements within a short period of time, to become the 1st internationally recognized sectoral CIRT in Egypt. The accreditation and membership of the (FIRST) Forum aim to enhance and expand the collaboration and coordination through exchanging the expertise among member teams towards combating cybercrimes, facilitating rapid responses, supporting the development of common means of data exchange among members, and facilitating effective handling and responding to cyberthreats. FIRST forum also supports cooperation and strategic partnerships between countries and global institutions, links incident response teams from all member countries together and facilitates the exchange of technical expertise and cybersecurity intelligence. EG-FinCIRT membership in FIRST Forum comes in line with CBEs strategy, which aims to enhance the participation of the Computer Incident Response Center for the financial sector in implementing the national cybersecurity strategy efficiently and effectively; while improving the ability of state institutions and authorities to respond in a timely manner, cooperate and coordinate in preventing cyber-attacks. FIRST is a global leader in cyber incident response, bringing together a diverse group of cyber incident response teams from government entities, businesses, and educational institutions, with currently over 600 members from around the globe.

The role of the UN in addressing international and regional issues, as well as international peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts in various countries were also discussed. The two sides discussed issues related to the challenges facing the multilateral work system, including the work entrusted to specialized international agencies. They also discussed UN efforts for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, including efforts to denuclearize the Middle East region, as well as efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space. During the consultations, ambassador Badawi reviewed the determinants of the Egyptian position in connection with the UN system's handling of the current regional situations and crises. The two sides also discussed the prospects of the UN role in the settlement of disputes and conflicts witnessed by the countries of the region, in order to achieve peace and establish stability in the region as a common goal of the two countries.

Chris Hemsworth returns to the big screens as Tyler Rake in the upcoming sequel to the popular Netflix action thriller “Extraction” on June 16. In the first film, Rake narrowly escaped the horrors of his mission. Fans of the original film are eagerly anticipating the sequel, hoping that it lives up to the high expectations set by the first film. Given the talent behind the camera, along with the star power of Hemsworth, it seems likely that the sequel will not disappoint. In summary, the sequel to “Extraction” promises to be an action-packed film that is sure to thrill fans of the original and action enthusiasts alike.

Ambassador Ehab Badawi, Assistant Foreign Minister for Multilateral Affairs and International Security, received Ambassador Sergei Vershinin, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation for Multilateral Affairs, and his accompanying delegation, as part of the delegation’s visit to Cairo to consult on the most prominent issues of mutual interest related to international multilateral work. The role of the UN in addressing international and regional issues, as well as international peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts in various countries were also discussed. The two sides discussed issues related to the challenges facing the multilateral work system, including the work entrusted to specialized international agencies. They also discussed UN efforts for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, including efforts to denuclearize the Middle East region, as well as efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space. During the consultations, ambassador Badawi reviewed the determinants of the Egyptian position in connection with the UN system’s handling of the current regional situations and crises.

Samir discussed the development of trade exchange between Egypt and these countries during 2022. The minister said that the volume of trade exchange between Egypt and Germany in 2022 amounted to approximately €5.5bn. Egyptian commodity imports from Saudi Arabia increased by 16%, reaching roughly $3bn in 2022 compared to about $2.58bn in 2021, according to Samir. The minister pointed out:“Egyptian exports to the French market increased by 136% in 2022, reaching €2.16bn, compared to about €917m in 2021. Egyptian exports to the United Kingdom achieved unprecedented growth during 2022, with an increase of 83%, amounting to £1.686bn, compared to about £921m in 2021.

Aladdin ElAfifi, Chairperson of Tanmeyah, commented:“I am pleased to announce Jinu Johnson's appointment as Tanmeyah's new CEO and to welcome him on board our NBFI platform's leadership team. He joined Tanmeyah from Mashreq Bank Egypt, where he was Senior Vice President & Acting Head of the Retail Banking Group. He continuedthe bankingjourney with Commercial Bank Qatar in multiple roles before moving to Egypt with Barclays Bank Egypt and Attijariwafa Bank Egypt. Jinu Johnson, CEO of Tanmeyah, commented:“I'm truly humbled to be appointed Tanmeyah's Chief Executive Officer and to be joining the EFG Hermes Holding group. Tanmeyah has proven to be an integral part of the Egyptian microfinance industry and the wider NBFI space.

CAIRO – 17 May 2023: Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik will start a two-day official visit to Egypt on Sunday as per an invitation by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. During his visit, Sultan Haitham will discuss all aspects of cooperation between Egypt and Oman in order to boost their relations to a level that fulfills the desired goals in all fields and serves the two countries’ joint interests. The visit will also see discussions on regional and international developments between the two sides, the statement added. Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, Minister of the Royal Court Khalid bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of the Royal Office Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nu'amani will accompany the sultan during his trip. Also, Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hammad Al Busaidi, Minister of Finance Sultan bin Salem Al Habsi, Minister of Trade Qais Al Youssef and Oman’s Ambassador to Egypt Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Rahbi will be among the delegation.

The conferees adopted the issuance of an educational guide for Islamic curricula on all academic levels, and the issuance of another guide for intellectual fortification, as well as an encyclopedia of Islamic values. Sheikh Al-Issa explained that the League of Universities is the most important and strongest academic focal point in the Islamic countries, pointing out that the League of Universities assumes qualitative global responsibilities in a new horizon. It was announced that the participants in the scientific committees recommended that the League of Islamic Universities is to issue an educational guide for Islamic curricula on all academic levels, a guide for intellectual fortification, as well as an encyclopedia of Islamic values. His Excellency Prof. Nabil Muhammad Tawfiq Al-Samalouti; Assistant Secretary General for Academic Affairs. The General Conference blessed what His Excellency; the President had decided, and asked Allah the Almighty for success for all of them.

The volume of financial transactions through the InstaPay application also increased significantly, since the bank joined the service in December 2022. Ghanem said that the bank adopted an ambitious expansion strategy in the field of digital transformation, by developing and modernizing the bank's technological structure and providing it with the latest digital systems through growing investments to meet the rapid and successive digital transformation, in order to enhance the policy of the state and the central bank to transform into a cashless society as the most secure, accurate and flexible way. He added that the bank was able, within a short period of time, to achieve clear achievements and steady steps towards digital transformation, with the aim of reaching the largest customer base and providing various banking services and products to meet their needs to support financial inclusion and enhance the culture of electronic payment. He affirmed the bank's keenness to launch many applications and electronic services, which are considered a breakthrough in the field of digital services such as the electronic wallet, the Internet and mobile banking, which provide more than 50 services directly to facilitate customers through these applications such as transferring money inside and outside the bank and opening accounts online, linking new certificates, managing customer cards, paying credit card debts and many other services, in addition to the InstaPay application, cash in & cash out services, and expanding the number of ATMs, which reached 440 machines in various governorates of the Republic, noting that the Bank has initiated huge investments to develop and update these applications and provide them with the latest digital systems to meet the rapid and successive digital transformation. In conjunction with the start of his new term as CEO, Ghanem stressed the continuation of implementing the digital transformation strategy during the next stage and adopting all developments in the field of financial technology, which supports the bank's vision and strategy to become one of the largest commercial banks in the Egyptian banking market.

Moreover, the council agreed to expand the issuance of the golden license and not limit it to companies working on strategic or national projects. They also agreed to amend the articles regulating the golden license to ensure that companies established before the investment law of 2017 may be granted the golden license. To address the difficulty of importing production requirements, a draft decision was approved to amend Law No. Within the framework of efforts to create a stable tax legislative environment, a draft decision was approved to accelerate the release of Egypt's tax policy document for the next five years. This includes agricultural, industrial, and energy sectors with regard to green hydrogen production, in addition to the housing sector, real estate developers and investment projects in new cities, as well as the transportation sector.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met on Wednesday with Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Tunisians Abroad Nabil Ammar before the start of the ministerial meeting that is held in preparation for an Arab summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ahmed Abu Zeid tweeted that there is a deep and constant cooperation to boost bilateral relations between Egypt and Tunisia

Network International, the leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, has launched its new direct-to-merchant service “networkpay” to promote financial inclusion and greater digital payment penetration in Egypt. The networkpay service simplifies payments for merchants, enabling them to accept electronic payments through different channels including both physical and digital, providing a fast, secure, and convenient way to make transactions. Committed to continuous innovation and improvement, with a focus on delivering new and enhanced features to the payment service, networkpay offers users a range of new features and functionalities that further enhance the payment experience over time. Andrew Key, Group Managing Director – Acquiring at Network International, commented: “With attractive demographics and a growing addressable market for digital payments, Egypt is a key growth accelerator for Network. Network has been at the forefront of driving digital payments acceptance and broader financial inclusion in Africa and with the introduction of networkpay we strive to provide a significant boost to Egypt’s economy by making payments more accessible to all.”

The Grand Egyptian Museum will organize its first-ever GEM Family Weekend event on May 26-27. The fun-filled event will be full of excitement with an Ancient Egyptian twist. The whole family will enjoy a variety of activities, including interactive games, ancient Egyptian-inspired arts and crafts, live music and entertainment, and more. GEM Family Weekend is a great opportunity for families to come together and create everlasting memories.

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks during a meeting with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen in Tehran, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. They also discussed the latest regional and international developments with regard to Syria, including the recent quadrilateral meeting in Moscow on working out a solution to the Syrian crisis. Amir-Abdollahian pointed to the recent visit by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to Damascus, saying the trip was an indication that Syria has reached a stage of lasting security. The minister also expressed gratitude to Pedersen for his work to promote peace and stability in Syria, while Pedersen commended Iran for its counterterrorism efforts and contributions to Syria's security and regional stability, according to the statement. Raisi, the first Iranian president to visit Syria since the outbreak of the Syrian war in 2011, visited Damascus in early May and held extensive political and economic talks with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad.