(Ecofin Agency) - A monthly report published by the investment and international cooperation ministry revealed that investments have increased by 20.8% to stand at EGP5.2 billion ($293.7 million), in January 2018 in Egypt.

In the period under review, the number of companies created (1,593) as well as expanded (187), has reached 1,780 against 1,628 in January 2017. Seven thousand jobs are expected to be created as the result of these investments.

The ministry also indicated that compared to the volume of investments during the first quarter of the previous fiscal year, the investments have increased by 53.1% in the first quarter of 2017-18 fiscal year (July-June) to stand at EGP150 billion (about $8.47 billion). In the same vein, private investments have also increased by 15.2% to stand at EGP 78.1 billion (about $4.41 billion).