Finance Minister Amr El Garhy and Investment and International Cooperation Minister Sahar Nasr’s interviews were the main highlights in the airwaves which largely focused on the Pope’s visit.

The IMF delegation arrived yesterday and will be here for two weeks to review progress on the economic reforms before disbursing the second tranche of the USD 12 bn facility, El Garhy told Hona Al Asema’s Lamees Al Hadidi last night (watch, runtime: 13:42). From his statements it appears that inflation will take center stage during the talks which will begin today between the delegation and the Central Bank. El Garhy acknowledged that the IMF is pushing for interest rates to rise to help curb the inflation, whose pace, he added, was declining month-on-month. The CBE is studying the recommendation as it determines whether the inflation is spike is a one off shock to the economic reform measures, El Garhy added.

Commenting on the decline in the trade deficit (more on that in the Speed Round), El Garhy attributed this to a significant decline in imports of non-essential goods. “Imports of productions inputs have not decreased,” said El Garhy. This is evidenced by the Emirates NBD’s PMI Index which (while continuing to decline) does indicate a growth in industrial activity, he added.

El Gahry also confirmed that the government is planning to “reopen eurobonds” worth USD 1.5-2 bn in the coming period. Talks are ongoing with investment banks (strongly implied to be the same ones who managed the previous issuance) on the right timing of the issuance.

Lamees’ lesser half, Kol Youm’s Amr Adib, interviewed Investment Minister Nasr who reassured him that the drawn-out Investment Act will be ratified in the House before Ramadan — less than one month from now (watch, runtime: 6:18).

Her interview largely focused on Egyptian Cement breaking ground on its EGP 6 bn factory in Sohag, which had a lavish ceremony on Saturday (as one would expect from Abou Hashima). Nasr told Adib that the government will provide this plant with the needed infrastructure, such as roads to ports for exporting. “We hope this cement plant will begin production in a year,” she said.

Adib also showcased a report on progress in the development of the Alexandria tram which being funded through the French Development Agency (watch, runtime: 4:32).

Tourism Minister Yehia Rashed told Al Hayah Al Youm’s Lobna Assal that the ministry will use highlights from Pope Francis’ visit in Egypt’s tourism promotional campaigns, particularly when marketing the religious tourism sites such as the Holy Family trail (watch, runtime: 6:45).