GASC is in direct talks with 14 wheat suppliers to buy an undisclosed amount of wheat, traders tell Reuters. The state grains buyer is yet to make a purchase and negotiations are ongoing, they said.

GASC launched a new tender yesterday after canceling one on Tuesday due to high prices, and called for offers from all 17 accredited import origins. Suppliers were asked to submit bids on a cost and freight basis (CFR) for shipment between September and November.

Other things we’re keeping an eye on this morning:

• Cairo's hotels are filling up again: Cairo's hotel occupancy rates were up to 60% during the first five months of 2022, nearly doubling y-o-y, according to a report (pdf) from real estate services firm JLL.
• Fintech player Lucky has partnered with B2B marketplace Capiter to provide its customers with special offers, including using the Lucky One card without charge. (Statement, pdf)
• Switzerland will provide Egypt with a grant worth CHF 9.3 mn (EGP 181.9 mn) for a water project in Aswan. (MENA)
• Hot air balloons can fly again in Luxor after a two-day suspension to investigate a collision earlier this week that lightly injured two tourists. (Ahram Online)
• Egyptian African Arab Co. for Development (EGAAD) — a consortium of 22 Egyptian contracting companies — will build a food factory over the next two years in Côte d’Ivoire. (Al Mal)