UPDATE 1-IMF staff agrees to disburse final $2 bln tranche of Egypt loan

The International Monetary Fund said on Friday its team had reached a staff-level agreement with Egypt to disburse the final $2 billion tranches of a $12 billion loan.

The three-year loan programme was signed in 2016. As part of the IMF programme, Egypt has been carrying out economic reforms including a steep devaluation of the pound, deep cuts to its energy subsidies and the introduction of new taxes. In a statement, the IMF said that Egypt's fiscal policies and the flexible exchange rate had contributed to economic stabilisation and made Egypt more resilient to external shocks.

"Looking ahead, we welcome the authorities' focus on structural reforms as it needs to be deepened to facilitate inclusive growth and job creation for all," it added. The staff-level agreement still needs to be approved by the IMF's executive board.

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