The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) said on Monday it could secure some USD10bn from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by agreeing to a structural reform programme, but has yet to make any formal request to do so. The CBE’s statement came in response to comments by a Cabinet minister, who told Reuters on Monday that Egypt had started negotiations with the IMF last week for USD5bn loan. The minister said CBE was leading the talks. "There is a delegation from the IMF that might visit Egypt next month to continue the negotiations," the minister, who holds an economic portfolio, said by telephone. CBE said in a statement that while it had not formally made a request to negotiate a structural reform programme, it was in constant contact with the IMF and could secure USD10bn should it opt to apply.   IMF said on Monday it had not received any financing request from Egypt, but stood ready to help if a request was made. IMF said that its officials "maintain close dialogue with the Egyptian authorities", and that the lender stood ready to help should Egypt make a financing request. "The size of any financial arrangement would depend on Egypt's financing needs and on the strength of its economic program," IMF Mission Chief for Egypt, Chris Jarvis, told Reuters in emailed comments. (Reuters, Bloomberg)