The key role Egypt's financial sectors are expected to play in reviving economic growth during an era of momentous change will be given wide-ranging coverage in a forthcoming report from the global publishing, research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG). The Report: Egypt 2012 will provide in-depth analysis of how the country's assets, including its well-developed financial sector, industrial infrastructure and sizeable population, could provide the cornerstones for attracting long-term investment as it continues to strengthen its democratic credentials. It will also contain a detailed, sector-by-sector guide for foreign investors, alongside a wide range of interviews with the most prominent political, economic and business leaders, including the Vice Chairman, President and CEO of Global Growth and Operations at General Electric John Rice, the Chief Executive Officer of Shell Peter Voser, the CEO of Unilever Paul Polman and the Executive Chairman of the Egyptian Exchange Mohammed Omran. OBG will team up with HC Securities & Investment (HC) for its latest project on Egypt's economy. The first-time partnership will see the financial services firm will work closely with OBG's research and editorial team to provide in-depth analysis of Egypt's capital markets. HC is a major player in the Middle East and North Africa region offering Investment Banking, Asset Management, Securities Brokerage, Research and Custody services to a wide range of clients, ranging from individuals to corporations. OBG's Regional Editor Robert Tashima acknowledged that Egypt faced a sizable number of structural challenges, particularly in light of a drop in revenues last year, but said the country's strengths continued to provide solid foundations for investors who were in for the long haul. “Short-term policy uncertainty does cloud the outlook, but the fundamentals of Egypt's capital markets are very solid," he said. “The country's developed financial infrastructure holds immense appeal for foreign investors, particularly those who are looking for higher medium- and long-term potential returns in emerging markets." OBG's Country Director Basak Pasali agreed that Egypt's competitive advantages would serve the country well as it looked to address key challenges such as alleviating pressure on public spending. She also paid tribute to HC, saying she was confident the investment bank's experts would make a valuable contribution to The Report: Egypt 2012. “HC Securities & Investment has a diversified expertise base and in-depth local knowledge of Egypt's financial services sector which will benefit our team greatly during this time of huge transition in the country," she said. “I am delighted that we will be pooling resources with them for the first time as we prepare to document this significant new phase in Egypt's history." Hussein Choucri, Chairman and Managing Director of HC, agreed that Egypt's strong financial services sector, together with its strategic industries and evolving sectors such as telecoms, would be instrumental in reaffirming Egypt's position as a choice destination for investors. He also highlighted the important role OBG's new report would play in relaying Egypt's momentous development on the international stage. “With the country in the midst of great change, investors will be keen to receive accurate, up-to-date information on Egypt's plans for reform," he said. “Oxford Business Group's forthcoming report takes on added significance given the milestones Egypt continues to reach and I look forward to playing a part in providing coverage of its progress for international decision-makers at such an exciting time."
