EFG Hermes eyes Egypt renewables investments, leasing business -CEO

Egyptian investment bank EFG Hermes is studying investments in renewable energy and hopes to start a leasing business in its home country within months as it looks to take advantage of improving economic sentiment. Chief Executive Karim Awad said on Sunday that EFG hopes to launch a leasing business during the first half of 2015, subject to regulatory approvals, as the opening move in a number of new expansion projects for the bank, which could lead to extending its business into sub-Saharan Africa in time. "We want to expand (our private equity) business and we're looking very actively into Egypt today and the renewable sector," Awad told Reuters on the sidelines of a media event hosted by the bank.