“The economy is turning a corner: 2017 was a very difficult year and 2018 is probably going to be a better year and the recent data backs that up,” said Simon Kitchen, head of strategy at EFG-Hermes, Egypt’s largest investment bank. The cheaper pound has made exports more competitive, growth in imports has slowed and tourism is recovering, he said. “Looking ahead to next year you’ve got the gas story coming through as well,” he said, referring to Egypt’s plans to begin gas production at the giant offshore Zohr field.