Happy hump day, friends. We have a relatively slow news day so far here at home, while yesterday’s earthquake in Turkey and Syria is still driving the conversation abroad.

THE BIG STORY TODAY

Aman Financial Services is tapping the securitization market this month: Raya Holding’s non-banking financial services outfit, Aman Financial Services, will move forward with an EGP 400 mn securitized bond issuance after the Financial Regulatory Authority gave it the greenlight, Al Borsa quotes Aman Financial Services CEO Hazem Moghazi as saying.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD

The devastation caused by the Turkey-Syria earthquake remains front-page news around the world as the death toll surpasses 5k people. The total number of fatalities could reach 10k, the US Geological Survey said. International rescue teams from the EU, South Korea, Switzerland, Azerbaijan and Lebanon along with emergency supplies are arriving at the quake zones to assist search and rescue efforts to clear rubble and reach people buried under buildings. More than 5k buildings have collapsed since Monday’s earthquake and its aftershock, according to Turkey’s disaster management agency. Evacuation efforts that are currently underway are being hampered by damaged road and airport infrastructure, as well as a massive snow storm that has left many victims in subzero temperatures.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi offered to send aid earlier today, while the Foreign Ministry said it is monitoring the situation of Egyptians in both countries.

The story is leading the front pages of Bloomberg | Reuters | FT | Washington Post | WSJ

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** CATCH UP QUICK on the top stories from today’s EnterpriseAM:

• Could BdC IPO in the first half — or will we “just” see the sale of a stake to a strategic investor? Or will United Bank go first? What about Semadco? Chatter about which companies are on the auction block (and which aren’t) as part of the state asset program is reaching a crescendo a bit more than 24 hours ahead of the presser Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly has said would take place after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.
• Some senators want the Investment Ministry back: The Senate Financial and Economic Affairs Committee and GAFI officials yesterday called on the government to bring back the Investment Ministry.
• A streamlined capital increase process: The Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) has amended rules governing capital increases in a bid to make it easier for EGX-listed firms to raise fresh capital, the FRA said in a statement yesterday.

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Inflation: The CBE and Capmas are expected to publish inflation data for January on Thursday.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi will be in Dubai next week to attend the World Government Summit, which runs 13-15 February. Twenty heads of state will be in town for the Davos-like gathering, which will see policymakers from around the world discuss global trends, according to Emirati state news agency WAM.

Petro-show next week: Oil and gas industry figures from Egypt and the region will congregate at the Egypt International Exhibition Center for the Egypt Petroleum Show (Egyps) starting next Monday. The three-day conference runs 13-15 February.

The Senate is out of session for two weeks: Senators will reconvene on Sunday 19 February.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.

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We’re excited to unveil our next C-level event: The Enterprise FDI + Exports Forum, where we will take a deep dive into two of the most critical topics affecting our community.

Exports and foreign direct investment (FDI) have never been more important to our economy — or our businesses — than in the wake of the float of the EGP. We think we have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build an export-led economy that makes us a magnet for FDI and all the benefits that will come with it for our nation.

Want to join the conversation? Drop us a line on events@enterprisemea.com.

????️TOMORROW’S WEATHER- We’re looking at a mostly cloudy day tomorrow with just a few peeks of sunshine expected to get through. Temperatures will hit 15°C during the day before falling to 7°C at night, our favorite weather app tells us.