CAIRO, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Egypt said it had agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to merge the fund's first and second reviews of its economic reform programme, after the first review was repeatedly delayed amid questions over Egypt's progress in meeting the IMF's terms.
The IMF in December approved a $3 billion Extended Fund Facility loan for Egypt, which has been under acute financial pressure since long-standing problems were exposed by economic fallout from the war in Ukraine.
Disbursements under the 46-month program are subject to eight reviews, the first of which, originally scheduled to take place in March, has yet to happen amid reports the IMF was unhappy with Egypt's progress in fulfilling the terms of the agreement.
It added that negotiations with the IMF were proceeding "fruitfully and positively" in accordance with the terms of the program concluded with the Fund.
In June, Egypt President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi appeared to rule out a further devaluation anytime soon, saying such a move could harm national security and hurt Egyptian citizens.
Persons:
Abdel Fattah al, Sisi, Hatem Maher, David Holmes
Organizations:
International Monetary Fund, IMF, Egypt, Fund, Thomson
Locations:
CAIRO, Egypt, Ukraine, Disbursements