### Towards a new economic chapter: the challenge of reforms in Egypt in the shade of the IMF
Egypt, a nation with ancestral roots and complex contemporary challenges, is at a crucial crossroads in its economic history. The recent announces on the review of the Egypt program by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) seems to open a new chapter, but not without a set of underlying tensions that could impact the country’s trajectory for the years to come.
At the heart of this news, Julie Kozack’s declaration, IMF spokesperson, underlines an essential dynamic: the need for a multidimensional approach for economic viability. It is now obvious that the simple payment of funds, in the present case of $ 1.2 billion, represents only one aspect of the equation. Structural reforms must be envisaged simultaneously to guarantee sustainable development, by strengthening economic resilience to external shocks. But what is the foundation of these reforms, and what implications have for long-term Egypt?
### Resilience: more than a fashionable word
The idea of funding for resilience and sustainability particularly resonates in a global context marked by crises – economic, environmental, or health. Kozack’s words highlight the fact that the IMF is not limited to considering the issue of liquidity, but also wishes to address the challenges linked to sustainability. Thus, the reform of the Egyptian economy must include initiatives for renewable energies, water resources management, and economic diversification to alleviate excessive dependence on imports.
A comparative study reveals that countries invested in sustainability reforms have generally recorded more stable and less volatile growth. The World Bank recently published a report saying that each dollar invested in sustainable infrastructure can generate up to four dollars in economic benefits. For Egypt, this means that the reform process could, if carried out effectively, catalyze not only fundraising, but also promote job creation and poverty reduction.
### A look at the story: the weight of the debts
However, these hopes are also accompanied by a heavy heritage. Egypt is in a position where it must repay considerable debts to the IMF, with an amount to pay amount to around $ 914.2 million in the next two months. This increasing pressure can only exacerbate internal tensions, especially in a country where the unemployment rate remains high and where citizens’ expectations for a better standard of living are constantly increasing.
It is here that a societal reflection around these reforms becomes crucial. Governments, instead of simply working in close collaboration with international financial institutions, must also involve local economic players, small and medium -sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as the informal sector, representing a significant part of the Egyptian economy. By integrating these elements, reforming could not only be effective on the macroeconomic level, but also popular within the population, thus making it possible to increase the legitimacy of the rulers.
### Future assessment and perspectives
The meeting of IMF executive directors in Washington will mark a decisive step for Egypt. Special attention must be paid at this time: how can the country sail in this complex process while remaining attentive to the needs and aspirations of its population? The tendency to question the overall austerity policies could also play in favor of a change in the IMF approach to loans granted to developing countries.
Finally, the importance of a long-term vision, oriented towards tangible durability, should not be underestimated. The economic future of Egypt will largely depend on the ability of decision -makers to balance the requirements of international creditors and the immediate needs of the population.
This path strewn with pitfalls could well overcome from contemporary Egyptian history, each having a crucial role to play to transform challenges into opportunities. The meeting in Washington could be the catalyst that Egypt needs to redefine its economic future while building solid foundations for future generations.