The sale will reduce Chemical Industries' stake to 20.95%, giving impetus to Egypt's floundering privatisation programme. Global Investment will provide $150 million to buy the tobacco necessary for production as part of the agreement. The deal "is an affirmation of the government's determination to ... encourage direct private investment in various sectors," the cabinet statement said. Egypt's government sold 4.5% of Eastern Co. on the stock exchange in 2019, leaving the holding company with a majority stake. Egypt desperately needs foreign currency after the COVID pandemic and Ukraine crisis exposed vulnerabilities in its economy.

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Persons: Mostafa Madbouly, Momen Saeed Atallah, Adam Makary, Hatem Maher, Patrick Werr, Ros Russell Organizations: Global Investment Holding, Eastern Co, Holding Company, Chemical Industries, Global Investment, International Monetary, Thomson Locations: CAIRO, Eastern, Egypt, Ukraine