Dealing with Egypt Public Debt Accumulation Problem

Abstract

This paper examines the public debt problem in Egypt, and provides new supportive and non-stereotyped ideas that could help to put public debt on a downturn and a sustainable pass. The analytical approach was used to identify the magnitude of the public debt problem through analyzing the debt structure, the increase in interest payments, and private investment crowding out. The study also evaluates the impact of the economic reform problem on the debt to GDP level; in addition to analyzing the implications of the government plan on debt structure and its associated risks. Some of these risks are: the unsustainability of GDP growth and its structure, debt roll over risk, and the risk of materializing contingent liabilities. Furthermore, this paper proposes new ideas; besides, the usual concentration on fiscal consolidation and stable economic growth to decrease the Egyptian public debt. Improving tax collection, developing government securities market, using the appropriate economic policy mix, applying zero interest rate on the government liabilities to the Central bank of Egypt, and swapping debt with equity, are some non-stereotyped ideas that could help in reducing the public debt of Egypt.