The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) announced on Sunday a large financing plan to support the tourism sector, which includes increasing the value of its initiative to renovate and develop hotels from 5 billion Egyptian pounds ($310.5 million) to 50 billion pounds ($3.1 billion). The CBE said in a statement the plan involves the renewal and extension of the current tourism initiative to 31 December 2020, in addition to exempting tourism sector debt defaulters from before 2011 from marginal benefits. The initiative also involves the exemption of travel companies, including those in Taba, Nuewiba, and Saint Catherine cities in South Sinai, from marginal benefits and 50 percent of debts. CBE Governor Tarek Amer stated that the initiative was formed upon directives from President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to support the tourism sector as a main source of income, job opportunities and nourishment for other industries. On Saturday, South Sinai governor Khaled Fouda arranged a meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh between CBE Governor Tarek Amer, his deputy Gamal Negm, and representatives from the banking sector, tourism associations and major investors and hotel owners. The meeting discussed supporting Egypt's tourism industry to take advantage of the sector's increasing growth, as one of the largest sources of income and foreign currencies. Fouda expressed appreciation for the support provided by the CBE and Egyptian banks as well as for President El-Sisi for his sincere interest in Egypt's tourism and contributing to its global marketing campaigns, which has had positive effects. They also praised the CBE and the banking sector for overcoming challenges facing tourism as well as their practical contribution to the sector. Source: Ahram Online
