The Obama administration has shifted USD 108 million in aid from Egypt to other countries, citing process delays that have impeded the effective implementation of several programs, AP reported. The shift occurred earlier this year and, according to the US Department of State, the funds were redirected “to other priorities and needs.” Al-Monitor website further reported that the decision followed a governmental report that “identified USD 460 million in economic assistance for Egypt that remained unspent because of US restrictions and Egyptian red tape.” As a result, eight key members of the United States’ House of Representatives wrote to Secretary of State John Kerry in May, requesting to transfer up to USD 20 million of Egypt’s aid to Tunisia. The congressional letter stated that the aid would help Tunisia to “advance transparency and professionalism in parliament and other institutions while reforming banking laws, tax code, and other rules and regulations that deter entrepreneurs and investors.” It further pointed out that in Egypt, “even long-standing programs have stalled.” The state department had rejected the request. Nevertheless, according to Al-Monitor, the fund relocation seems to have happened around the same time, without…
