Egypt’s budget deficit in the first half of fiscal year 2012-13 (July-December 2012) rose by 24% to E£91.5bn ($13.7bn) from E£73.8bn ($11.0bn) in the corresponding period of the previous year, the Ministry of Finance said in its Financial Monthly for January 2013.

Total revenue in July-December 2012 rose 31.1% to E£152.9bn ($22.8bn) from the corresponding period of 2011, mainly as a result of the 38.1% increase in tax revenue. (CONTINUED - 335 WORDS)