The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) is reportedly considering punitive measures against banks that do not take measures in line with its EGP200bn SME initiative, the CBE sub-governor Tarek El Kholy said at a conference yesterday. Measures include refusing to approve raising non-compliant bank’s capital adequacy ratios, allowing new branches in underpopulated areas only, or determining branches dedicated just for SMEs projects, he added. Under the SME initiative, banks are required to allocate 20% of the loan portfolio for SMEs projects within four years of the programme’s initiation. (Al Mal)