As Cairo scrambles to implement the reforms pledged to unlock the landmark $8bn IMF loan which was due to receive final approval on 29 March as MEES went to press, Egyptians are feeling the pinch.

With currency liberalization on 6 March the key reform that unlocked the IMF deal (MEES, 8 March), the Egyptian pound lost a third of its value over the following days, though it has since stabilized at around $1=E£47. (CONTINUED - 669 WORDS)