Crown prince announces oil assistance, other initiatives to help boost country’ economy

Illustrative photo of  Cairo on November 8, 2014. (Photo credit: AFP/ Mohamed el-Shahed
Illustrative photo of Cairo on November 8, 2014. (Photo credit: AFP/ Mohamed el-Shahed

 

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia has pledged new support for Egypt’s economy in the form of oil assistance and $8 billion in additional investments in the country.

The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman was in Cairo on Tuesday.

He was quoted in the Saudi Press Agency as saying that King Salman ordered 30 billion riyals ($8 billion) in investments, contribution to Egypt’s needs for oil for a period of five years and support for traffic in the Suez Canal by Saudi ships. No further details were given.

Saudi Arabia has supported Cairo with billions of dollars in aid, grants and cash deposits to help buoy the country’s economy after several years of political upheaval sent foreign reserves tumbling.

As reported by Business Insider