Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), met with Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on the sidelines of the 10th Arab Public Finance Forum in Dubai to review Egypt’s economic reform programme and the country’s latest macroeconomic indicators.
The forum, held under the theme “A Decade of Fiscal Dialogue: Building Macroeconomic Resilience through Strengthening Fiscal Policies and Institutions,” brought together finance ministers, central bank governors, and representatives from regional and international financial institutions. Discussions focused on Egypt’s IMF-supported reform agenda and bilateral cooperation between the country and the Fund.
The bilateral meeting between Abdalla and Georgieva was attended by Dr. Mohamed Maait, Egypt’s IMF Executive Director, Yasser Sobhy, Deputy Minister of Finance, and Jihad Azour, Director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department. The talks reviewed macroeconomic developments, including fiscal performance, debt sustainability, and monetary policy objectives, in the context of ongoing reforms to strengthen Egypt’s economic resilience.
Abdalla also held a separate bilateral meeting with Fahad bin Mohammed Al-Turki, Director General and Chairman of the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), to exchange views on economic issues of mutual interest and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation between Egypt and regional financial institutions.
During the forum, Abdalla participated in the opening session, “The Arab World’s Outlook in the Face of Shocks and Uncertainty,” which examined regional and global economic trends, trade and financial tensions, and strategies to reinforce macroeconomic stability in Arab countries. The session underscored the importance of fiscal discipline, economic diversification, and institutional reforms in managing risks from external shocks.
More Read
The forum was organized by the UAE Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the AMF and the IMF, as part of the 2026 World Governments Summit. Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, hosted participants, which included senior policymakers from across the Arab world.
Key topics highlighted during the event included fiscal reform, public spending efficiency, development finance, and the integration of digital transformation and advanced technologies in financial institution management. Abdalla emphasized Egypt’s commitment to leveraging fiscal and monetary reforms to support sustainable growth, strengthen public finances, and enhance the efficiency of financial governance.
“The Central Bank of Egypt remains focused on implementing reforms that promote stability, growth, and resilience in the Egyptian economy,” Abdalla said during the forum. “Our engagement with the IMF and regional partners is critical to advancing these objectives and ensuring that Egypt navigates both domestic and global economic challenges effectively.”
Georgieva praised Egypt’s progress under its reform programme and reaffirmed the IMF’s commitment to supporting Cairo’s economic policies. “Continued collaboration between Egypt and the IMF provides an important framework for monitoring reforms, guiding policy, and sustaining macroeconomic stability,” she said.
The forum also provided an opportunity for Arab countries to reflect on a decade of fiscal dialogue, assess lessons learned, and establish priorities for the coming period. Participants discussed strengthening public finance frameworks, improving fiscal transparency, enhancing regional cooperation, and advancing the adoption of technology-driven solutions in financial management.
Abdalla’s participation underscores Egypt’s active role in regional financial discussions and its commitment to deepening cooperation with international institutions. The country’s ongoing reforms are aimed at consolidating fiscal stability, boosting investor confidence, and ensuring sustainable economic development in line with broader regional objectives.
