IMF mission to visit Egypt on Wednesday

A mission from the International Monetary Fund will arrive in Egypt on Wednesday to begin "article IV" consultations, the first of their kind in three years, senior advisor to the US secretary of state David Thorne said on Tuesday, in front of the biggest US trade delegation ever to visit Egypt.

In September, Egypt's government asked the IMF to conduct an assessment of its economy, the first "article IV" consultations in three years ahead of the Egypt Economic Summit next year aiming to enhance investors' confidence.

Egypt's relations with the international institution stumbled last year, as Egypt pared down its representation to the fund's annual meetings to just diplomatic staff in protest of what several Egyptian officials said was the fund's reluctance to recognise the new government.

Finance Minister Hani Qadry Demian is working on improving connections between Egypt and the controversial lending institution.