Egypt minister projects 62 growth in 3 years

(MENAFN- Arab News) CAIRO: Egypt's finance minister is predicting growth rates of up to 6 percent within three years which would mark a major turnaround following three years of political turmoil that has crippled the economy.

Hany Kadry Dimian told The Associated Press he expects growth to increase from 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent this quarter as Egypt pursues several mega-projects including an expansion of the Suez Canal and seeks foreign investment and a revival of the vital tourism sector.

"Having all these projects in place having investors already knocking on the door to be placed and well-situated with the development projects we have with the Suez Canal the 5-6 percent in 2-3 years is very doable" said Dimian.

Meanwhile Egypt will buy 65 percent of its oil product imports for the next year from the United Arab Emirates in the latest Gulf lifeline to an economy rocked by three years of turmoil.

The deal approved by the Egyptian government on Wednesday and announced in a statement covers gasoline diesel heavy fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) that is used in homes.

Egypt has struggled to curb its swelling budget deficit whilst meeting soaring energy demands resulting in daily electricity cuts around the country of 86 million people.

Lines at petrol stations and a shortage of gas were among the main public grievances against former President Muhammad Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood. Oil-producing Gulf countries have come to Egypt's aid since the army prompted by mass protests ousted Mursi last year.

Egypt also introduced deep cuts to energy subsidies in July which have resulted in price rises of more than 70 percent as it seeks to curb public spending and fuel waste.

Egypt's cabinet said in a statement on the deal that the price was "appropriate" but gave no details.

An Oil Ministry official said last month however that Egypt was seeking to buy about $9 billion of oil products from the UAE and that some of the products would come as grants and the remainder under a credit agreement that would be repaid in installments.

The official said Egypt imports petroleum products worth around $1 billion to $1.3 billion a month.

The United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have together provided Egypt with billions of dollars in grants loans and petroleum products since Mursi's overthrow.

But Egypt wants long-term investments to improve the country's economy which has been suffering ever since an uprising toppled President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

It will hold a conference in February to attract investment and has already awarded major contracts to Gulf firms including for the Suez Canal expansion project.