The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority has told the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development that regulated short selling is expected to launch officially within the next few weeks. Following completion of the new framework, final work is underway on the centralized securities lending system and full technical connection between Misr for Central Clearing, Depository and Registry and brokerage firms. Market making is another near-term priority intended to support liquidity and trading stability. Market makers will be exempt from stamp duty, while the authority is considering additional incentives to encourage institutional investment alongside planned listings and offerings of major state-owned companies. The discussions also covered recent measures to align risk management in insurance and nonbank financing with international standards, including Basel III, and cooperation on introducing Solvency II in Egypt’s insurance sector. The parties also considered further development of the Egyptian Exchange following the launch of the derivatives market in March, including EBRD ideas on converting the exchange into a joint stock company.