2018 Tutu Fellow Mohammed El Dahshan has written an analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on the Egyptian economy, sector by sector, that has been published in the latest issue of The Africa Report. In the piece, he also provides recommendations to the state on balancing the short- and long-term response to the economic impact of the pandemic.
He makes the point that the ravages caused by the coronavirus have equalised the playing field across the globe and that as states learn to live with this new reality, they must also create policies to minimise the economic impact the crisis brings.
The thorough analysis unpacks policies already implemented by the Egyptian state and visits each sector and the effects of the pandemic. His recommendations are on how to improve the Egyptian policy response. The sectors he covers includes tourism, which is the hardest-hit sector. The first official case of COVID-19 in the country was reported on 14 February during a Nile cruise, leading to tourism to rapidly being shut down. Others include the Suez Canal - a major source of foreign revenue, and one that's sensitive to global trade - Small and Medium Enterprises; and, the informal sector, which exceeds 50% of the economy.
You can read the full piece at The Africa Report.
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