The liberalisation of the foreign exchange rate regime on 3 November 2016 led to the successful elimination of all foreign exchange (FX) shortages that previously disturbed economic activity, thereby significantly improving Egypt's external trade balances, according to the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). The CBE noted that the distortions in the domestic foreign currency market were eliminated, and the forces of supply and demand drove, and still continue to drive, the process of price findings in the FX market. Moreover, foreign currency resources have reached $111bn since 3 November 2016, and Egypt's current account deficit decreased from $19.8bn or 5.9% of the GDP for fiscal year (FY) 2015/16 down to $ 5.9bn which is 2.4% of the GDP for FY 2017/18. Furthermore, Egypt's balance of payments achieved an overall surplus of $12.8bn, 5.1% of the GDP for FY 2017/18 compared to a deficit of $ 2.8bn or 0.8% of the GDP, for FY 2015/2016. In the future, Egypt's current account deficit is projected to decrease to around 1%-2% of the GDP for FY 2018/19, the CBE noted. “Egypt's risk profile improved and its financial stability regained strength. As a result, confidence increased as was reflected in the elevated interbank market volume,” highlighted the CBE, adding, “In light of the above, the CBE has decided to terminate the repatriation mechanism as of 4 December 2018, close of business day, for any fresh foreign currency portfolio investments wishing to enter the local currency Egyptian T-Bills, T-Bonds market and the stocks listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange.” The CBE explained that this will not apply to balances held within the mechanism before the above mentioned date. Investors who initially entered through the repatriation mechanism before 4 December, close of business day, may exit through the repatriation mechanism at any time. Fresh foreign currency portfolio investments, from this point forward, should be channeled through the interbank market. Moreover, the repatriation mechanism pricing at exit upon the foreign investor's exit through the repatriation mechanism, will maintain the process unchanged, indicated the CBE.
