What we’re tracking this week
SCA talking to big lines about pre-payment: The Suez Canal Authority is meeting with Maersk, CMA, and MSC to discuss a proposal floated last week that would see the operators pre-pay the authority USD 4 bn as a three-year advance to boost international reserves, unnamed sources tell Al Mal. The terms stipulate a 3% discount on transit expenses, with the advances deposited at the Central Bank of Egypt.
The Digital Media Forum in Cairo takes place on Wednesday at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza; registration is still open.
The Egyptian Businessmen’s Association will discuss the second phase of feed-in tariff projects with New and Renewable Energy Authority executive chairman Mohamed El Sobky on Thursday, Al Masry Al Youm reported.
Also on Thursday: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump square-off in the third and final debate of the 2016 US presidential election. They’re set to clash starting 9pm Eastern on Wednesday, 19 October (that’s 3am CLT on Thursday, 20 October). Two national polls put Clinton in the lead, but by wildly different margins: One gives her an 11 point lead, the other a four-point advantage, CNN reports. Reports on early ballot requests suggest Democrats are gaining ground compared to four years ago. Trump is dialing up the “rigged election” rhetoric. The Orange One is also very unhappy with Alec Baldwin’s latest skit on Saturday Night Live, it seems. The Washington Post has a nice rundown on the NSL angle.