First among the worst. (Egypt’s financial problems and its Minister for the Economy and Foreign Trade, Sultan Abu Ali)

FIRST AMONG THE WORST

Euromoney’s annual wooden spoon award is based on one simple accomplishment. It goes to the man who has done the most to harm his country’s economy. There’s usually no shortage of candidates. The men responsible for economic policy in Yugoslavia, Morocco, Australia, even Malaysia were all strong contenders this year. But the view of most bankers consulted by Euromoney is that in 1986 the least popular minister is Egypt’s Sultan Abu Ali.