Hi
we tried 2 years ago to open an account with HSBC when we were in Cairo and they would not open one for us unless we were a customer in the UK first, I opened a UK account online with HSBC and it took a couple of months for it to be completely set up, they will however open an account for you in Egypt from here for £100 which knowing the system (Sometimes) in Egypt could be worth it to save yourself the hassle and I understand that transfering money between the UK and Egypt sterling account does still attract some fees but much more reduced than normal about £8 in total if I recalll correctly, which as one time we transfered sterling from Royal Bank of Scotland (and also Lloyds) to be recieved into an egyptian bank sterling account as sterling and we were charged about £70 in total due to intermediate bank charges, none of the banks could advise how much this is going to be they only find out after the money has arrived - so one to watch out for
However you can easily open a local currency account or sterling account with any of the main egypt bank without to much trouble but I personally wouldnt want to keep too much money in them, usually the money is safer in the UK
hope this is of help
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