Egypt Sees IMF Accord Crucial to Economic Rebound, Minister Says

Egypt’s interim government considers a loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund an “essential” part of efforts to revive economic growth, Planning Minister Ashraf El-Arabi said.

The timing of a resumption of talks on a $4.8 billion loan is still under discussion, El-Arabi said in a telephone interview today. The government is assessing Egypt’s financing needs based on the latest economic data, he said.