The IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde on Thursday called Egypt's currency decision a "welcome move". "This is a welcome move given the economic circumstances," Lagarde told Reuters in Washington. "The way in which it is handled is welcomed and it's a decision clearly that the Egyptian authorities have matured and deliberated and are putting in place for the Egyptian economy and for the Egyptian currency." Chris Jarvis, IMF mission chief for Egypt, said that he anticipates IMF board consideration of the Egyptian loan programme within the next few weeks. The World Bank has also welcomed Egypt’s economic reforms, saying they would create jobs and promote social inclusion. Decisions would “boost the competitiveness of Egyptian businesses, support export growth, attract new foreign investment, free public resources for priority growth and social programmes, and support incomes for the poor and the vulnerable,” a World Bank statement read. (Reuters, Ahram Online)