Under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and with the attendance of Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, the 2025 US-Egypt Policy Leaders Forum kicked off on Sunday, May 25, 2025.

The forum was attended by Lieutenant General Eng. Kamel Al Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport; Eng. Hassan El Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade; Mr. Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Finance; Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; members of the American Chamber of Commerce, led by Suzanne Clark, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber in Washington; Mr. John J. Christmann, CEO of Apache Corporation and Chairman of the Egypt-US Business Council; Eng. Omar Mehanna, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo; and Mrs. Herro Mustafa, the U.S. Ambassador to Cairo. 

Also present were 61 CEOs and executive officials representing 42 major American companies, and a number of representatives from the business community and private sector in Egypt and the United States.

The two-day forum, organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt in cooperation with the Egypt-US Business Council, reviews ways to strengthen economic and trade relations between Egypt and the United States, and available investment opportunities in Egypt with American companies.

The opening session

Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, participated in the opening session of the 2025 US-Egypt Policy Leaders Forum, which was attended by Lieutenant General/ Kamel al-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development, Minister of Industry and Transport, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development and International Cooperation, Mr. Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Finance, Engineer/ Hassan Al-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, and Engineer/ Karim Badawy, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

The session was also attended by Ambassador/ Hiro Mustafa Garge, the US Ambassador in Cairo, members of the American Chamber of Commerce, and the Egyptian-American Business Council.

The opening session commenced with a welcoming speech by Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly

The Prime Minister began his speech by expressing his pleasure in participating in this unique forum, which serves as a platform for political leaders between the United States and Egypt and thanked the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt and the United States for organising this important meeting.

Dr. Mustafa Madbouli also welcomed Ms. Suzanne Clarke, President and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. John Christman, CEO of Apache and Chair of the Egypt-American Business Council, for their tireless efforts in leading this elite group of major American business leaders.

The Prime Minister also welcomed all representatives of the American business community, where many of their companies continue to thrive in the Egyptian market.

Dr. Mustafa Madbouli spoke about the role of the forum in embodying the strategic importance of economic cooperation between Egypt and the United States, which is based on mutual respect and a shared interest in achieving prosperity, as well as a long history of constructive partnership. He noted that for decades, they have tirelessly worked to strengthen various areas of this cooperation, both at the bilateral level and concerning regional events, to achieve their common strategic goals.

The Prime Minister added, "Egypt has repeatedly proven to be a reliable and active partner for the United States, based on a shared understanding that overcoming the deep challenges facing the Middle East requires deepening cooperative ties between our countries." He emphasised that this partnership today takes on special significance in light of the rapid changes occurring in the region and the world, accompanied by unprecedented crises in both security and politics in the region.

Madbouli continued in the same vein, stating that the forum taking place today reflects Egypt's commitment to enhancing the role of the private sector within its efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable economic development. Strengthening the private sector is a cornerstone of Egypt's economic transformation strategy, reflecting a firm commitment to creating a competitive, open, and stimulating environment that allows private enterprises to lead innovation, create jobs, and achieve sustainable long-term growth.

In this context, the Prime Minister noted that Egypt has begun implementing a series of concrete steps to translate this approach into practical reality, primarily through the issuance and application of the "State Ownership Document," which clearly defines the sectors in which the state intends to reduce its role or exit entirely, thereby sending a clear message to markets and investors about the new role of the state.

Dr. Madbouli added, "At the same time, the application of public-private partnership (PPP) mechanisms has been expanded in several vital sectors, including transport, renewable energy, education, and water supply infrastructure, giving the private sector a leading role in developing strategic national assets." He also explained that specialised platforms have been created to support investors, primarily the "golden license" system, which allows investors to start implementing their projects and launch them with minimal administrative procedures through a single approval granted by the Prime Minister.

Regarding the business climate, the Prime Minister explained in his speech that Egypt is placing great emphasis on improving the business climate through comprehensive financial and monetary reforms, digitising government services, and developing modern legislative and regulatory frameworks that have contributed to increasing transparency, enhancing predictability, and strengthening competitiveness. The state continues to reinforce the rule of law and is working to create an attractive business environment that enables both local and international investors to achieve success and prosperity.

Dr. Mustafa Madbouli then moved on to discuss what the Egyptian state has done over the past decade to attract billions of dollars in investments for infrastructure development, including expanding the road and railway networks, modernising ports and airports, increasing capacities in energy, and establishing new logistics and industrial zones.

Furthermore, the state’s efforts, according to the Prime Minister, included the expansion of the Suez Canal, the establishment of a new administrative capital, and the creation of 24 new cities, confirming that these efforts have laid the foundations for a future economy that reflects a long-term vision aimed at a more balanced distribution of growth, diversifying the economic base, with a focus on supporting production, strengthening connections between regions, and attracting foreign investments.

Speaking about infrastructure development and new construction projects, Dr. Mustafa Madbouli said, "At the heart of economic transformation in Egypt is the development of our most important asset - the individual; a productive, skilled, and innovation-ready workforce is the main driver of sustainable economic growth." He noted that youth is one of their most important resources due to their creativity, ambitions, and commitment to digital transformation, which stimulates growth in the startup and small enterprise sector. He emphasised that the state is investing in education, healthcare, and vocational training to ensure the workforce is prepared for the demands of future industries.

In this same context, the Prime Minister stated, "At the same time, Egypt has embraced digitisation and financial inclusion as key drivers of economic growth and modernisation; digital technologies play a crucial role in transforming sectors, enhancing productivity, and expanding access to finance for all citizens." He noted that the "Digital Egypt Strategy" is leading efforts to transform into a regional leader in digital innovations, integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things, and big data into various economic sectors.

Dr. Mustafa Madbouli, the Prime Minister, confirmed that what he presented in his speech is only a brief glimpse into the unprecedented transformations taking place in Egypt under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, paving the way for a brighter future full of unlimited opportunities and promising horizons.

He stated, "Today, more than 1,800 American companies operate in Egypt, with total American investments exceeding $47 billion over the past two decades. These companies are represented in various sectors, such as energy, industry, information technology, financial services, and healthcare, reflecting the strength and dynamism of economic relations between our countries." He urged those present at the forum to explore the abundance of investment opportunities available in various manufacturing sectors in Egypt, emphasising that Egypt is not only a market of over 107 million people but also a gateway to Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. With a wide network of trade agreements, Egypt provides investors access to over 1.5 billion consumers.

Before concluding his speech, the Prime Minister announced two important developments directly concerning the American business community in two key sectors: automotive and halal certification for dairy products. He said, "As you know, ongoing negotiations with the American side have demonstrated a growing interest in the automotive sector, and applications have been submitted to ease restrictions on the import of fully assembled American cars into the Egyptian market. In this context, several days ago, specifically on May 11, Decision No. 112 of 2025 was issued by the Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development, Minister of Industry and Transport, which cancels the requirement to comply with mandatory Egyptian standards as specified in List No. 44 for goods and engineering products."

He added, "The World Trade Organization (WTO) has been informed of these new regulatory changes, and the Egyptian market is now open for the import of American cars without any obstacles."

Dr. Madbouli continued, "Secondly, the ongoing exemption of dairy products and their derivatives from the requirement of obtaining halal certification upon import is a new qualitative step towards strengthening trade relations between Egypt and the United States; an official notification regarding this exemption was submitted on March 12, 2025, in accordance with the WTO agreement on technical barriers to trade. The Ministry of Agriculture is taking the necessary measures to increase the diversity and number of organisations authorised to issue halal certificates and is considering the possibility of reducing fees for the conformity assessment of products and food entities exporting goods requiring halal certificates."

In this context, Egypt and the United States have reached the final stages of concluding a mutual cooperation agreement between the customs authorities of the two countries.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister noted that he presented those present at the forum with a range of directions that Egypt should take, all of which converge on one goal - to achieve our vision of comprehensive economic development, based on our economic recovery, structural reforms, and support for the private sector.

He added, "Allow me to end with a direct appeal to the American business community: our reforms are real, our markets are dynamic, our people are ready; let’s work together to create technologies, industries, and innovations that serve the interests of our countries. I urge you to seize every opportunity during today’s and tomorrow’s sessions to explore the vast investment opportunities in various manufacturing sectors in Egypt," once again welcoming those present at the forum and wishing them a successful forum.

This was followed by a speech delivered by Mr. Tarek Tawfik, Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce, and then a speech by Ms. Susan Clark, the CEO of the American Chamber, who began by expressing her appreciation for His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the President of the Republic, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development, the ministers, and the members of the American Chamber of Commerce and the Egyptian-American Business Council.

During her speech, Ms. Susan Clark praised the historical strategic relations between Egypt and the United States, noting the celebration of a hundred years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. She emphasised that the aim of this forum is to discuss efforts to enhance mutual cooperation between the two countries in terms of trade and investment, stressing the Chamber's commitment to supporting commercial relations between the two nations.

Ms. Susan Clark also reviewed the development of economic relations between Egypt and the United States since the era of openness during the late President Mohamed Anwar Sadat, illustrating how both Egypt and the United States have managed to develop their economic ties in the face of geopolitical challenges and the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the same time, Ms. Susan Clark confirmed that over the two days of this forum, American companies are seeking to explore further opportunities in the Egyptian market across various fields, notably digital transformation and artificial intelligence, as well as energy security (oil - gas - renewable energy), in addition to healthcare, enhancing supply chains, and exploring opportunities available in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, along with ways to boost the Egyptian tourism sector.

Both Mr. John Christmann, CEO of Apache Corporation and Chairman of the American-Egyptian Business Council, and Mr. Omar Mohanna, Chairman of the Egyptian-American Business Council and the newly elected head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, also delivered speeches during the forum.
High-level Ministerial Session, part of the US-Egypt Policy Leaders Forum 2025

The U.S.-Egypt Policy Leaders Forum 2025 began with a High-level Ministerial Session of Egypt’s top economic policymakers discussing the course for driving economic reform and advancing the U.S.-Egypt trade and investment relationship.

The panellists consisted of:

- H.E. Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade

- H.E. Dr. Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Finance

- H.E. Dr. Rania AI-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation

- Moderated by Mr. Tarek Tawfik, President, AmCham Egypt

Speaking at the Egypt-US Policy Leaders Forum 2025, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk asserted that Egypt’s coordinated economic policy reforms have bolstered the country’s competitiveness and improved key financial indicators over the past ten months.

Kouchouk said private sector investment rose to 60 per cent of total investments between July and December 2024, reflecting growing business confidence.

He highlighted the government’s efforts to balance public finances while promoting economic activity through targeted support for industry, agriculture, exports, and tourism.

The minister also pointed to enhancements in Egypt’s social protection system, including direct cash transfers and expanded medical treatment allowances for vulnerable groups.

Minister Kouchouk reported a 3.1 per cent primary budget surplus from July to April, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to debt reduction despite rising interest rates.

He noted increased voluntary tax compliance and pledged new incentives in real estate tax and customs to encourage further private sector participation.

In her speech, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat , Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, emphasized that the forum discusses the depth of specific and precise opportunities available to investors in various vital economic sectors in Egypt. She highlighted the "Investment Opportunities" booklet, prepared with the American Chamber of Commerce, which represents a clear and comprehensive investment map outlining the most prominent opportunities available to both local and foreign investors. It also outlines the reforms and policies undertaken to pave the way for new investments that will drive the Egyptian economy forward.

Al-Mashat affirmed the government's interest and keenness to actively participate in direct dialogue with domestic and international partners. She noted that the Egyptian state places investment and private sector stimulation at the forefront of its national priorities.

Al-Mashat reviewed the general framework underpinning Egypt's current economic policies and the integrated reforms across fiscal, monetary, trade, industrial, and investment policies. She pointed to the general framework governing economic work in Egypt, where operations currently rely on full coordination between various ministries and entities to achieve genuine integration between public policies that serve the state's direction towards building a strong, productive, export-oriented economy that generates sustainable job opportunities.

Al-Mashat pointed out that this framework is based on three pillars: achieving macroeconomic stability through regulating monetary and fiscal policy, ensuring exchange rate stability, curbing inflation, achieving fiscal discipline, and more efficient governance of public investments to ensure efficiency and proper resource allocation, as well as achieving higher transparency in state-owned companies, as part of the state's efforts to separate ownership from management and improve governance; enhancing the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy through infrastructure development, legislative modernization, supporting digital transformation, and stimulating innovation; and unlocking the potential of the private sector as the primary driver of real long-term growth and the most important pillar for job creation and raising productivity rates, through improving the business environment, facilitating procedures, removing bureaucratic obstacles, increasing transparency, and improving economic governance.

Al-Mashat highlighted the characteristics that distinguish the Egyptian economy from other economies in the region, including its great diversity and broad production base. It relies on many active sectors that contribute to the GDP and provide huge employment opportunities, such as the manufacturing sector, especially non-petroleum industries, which recently recorded record growth rates of about 18%, a sustained growth achieved over three consecutive quarters. 

Also, the tourism sector has witnessed a strong recovery, particularly with the imminent opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum next July, which will represent a qualitative leap in the cultural tourism experience in Egypt. 

The telecommunications and information technology sector is growing at a steady pace, achieving growth rates of up to 10%, and is one of the most attractive sectors for youth and investors. 

The transport and logistics sector, a strategic sector reflecting developments in ports and infrastructure, has recorded growth close to 10%.

Moreover, Egypt possesses a young, skilled, and competitively priced workforce, a huge human resource that the government seeks to maximize its utilization through training and skill-building programs.

Al-Mashat mentioned the macroeconomic developments and performance indicators, referring to the bold measures taken last March. Since then, the Egyptian economy has witnessed significant transformations, most notably achieving great stability in the exchange market, the disappearance of the currency black market, the adoption of a strict disciplinary fiscal policy aimed at reducing the deficit and achieving a primary surplus, and more efficient governance in managing public investments, ensuring efficiency and proper allocation of resources, as well as achieving higher transparency in state-owned companies, as part of the state's efforts to separate ownership from management and improve governance.

Al-Mashat added that private investments have also witnessed a remarkable recovery, with their contribution to the GDP exceeding that of public investments for the first time in years, which confirms the success of efforts to open up opportunities for the private sector. 

Remittances from Egyptians abroad have also increased, returning to their previous levels, while tourism this year is recording the highest number of visitors and revenues in years. 

She stressed that despite regional challenges and the decrease in Suez Canal revenues due to geopolitical circumstances, Egyptian growth and exports – whether finished goods, semi-finished goods, or raw materials – continue to rise, reflecting an improvement in the economy's structure and diversification.

Regarding the shift towards a productive and export-oriented economy, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat stated that Egypt is gradually transitioning from an economic model relying on non-tradable sectors to a model based on production, industry, and export, as this is the path to creating sustainable job opportunities and achieving real, high-productivity growth. Therefore, there is a significant focus on making Egypt a regional hub for green energy, through ambitious projects in solar, wind, and green hydrogen, a regional hub for food security, by supporting value-added chains in agriculture and food industries, and a center for trade and logistics, through developing ports and linking them to development axes and industrial zones.

The Minister also pointed to how to build a more sustainable economy, noting that macroeconomic stability is the foundation, but it is not enough on its own. Therefore, the government is working to implement an ambitious structural reform program based on three main pillars: enhancing macroeconomic resilience to ensure sustainable financial and monetary stability; stimulating competitiveness and enhancing the role of the private sector through improving legislation, simplifying procedures, and encouraging entrepreneurship; and supporting green transformation and transitioning towards a low-carbon and sustainable economy, in line with Egypt's environmental commitments and sustainable development goals.

Al-Mashat reaffirmed that green transformation is not just an environmental issue, but a real opportunity for investment, employment, and export. All these opportunities aim to support economic development, thereby creating wider fiscal space for the state. "We are moving from a negative economic cycle relying on a fixed exchange rate, independent monetary policy, and unstable capital flows, to a positive cycle based on macroeconomic stability, structural reforms, and development."

Al-Mashat also reiterated the importance of financing for development, noting that Egypt has become an important platform for cooperation with international institutions. These institutions not only finance the government but also provide financing to the private sector, using multiple financing tools and mechanisms. 

She explained that over the past five years, the private sector in Egypt has received more than $15 billion in concessional financing, which is a very important factor in attracting more foreign direct investment.

Al-Mashat highlighted the "NWFE" platform, explaining that addressing climate challenges can simultaneously be an opportunity for development. Egypt has adopted this approach in developing its country platform for the "NWFE" program to link climate finance with priority development projects in the energy, food, and water sectors. This has contributed to attracting international private sector investments of about $4 billion within two years, to generate 4 gigawatts of renewable energy. These funds have gone to both Egyptian and international companies, with financing from international institutions and commercial banks, in addition to grant components added to reduce the burden of financing. 

She clarified that this presents an opportunity for American companies aiming to enter the Egyptian market, especially in the areas of clean energy and sustainable infrastructure.

She also referred to projects related to electrical energy storage to help achieve Egypt's national goal of deriving 42% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. She explained that among the other key pillars of development in Egypt are trade and logistics, as Egypt is currently working to become a regional trade hub. 

She pointed to the development of many ports – both maritime and dry – through public-private partnerships, financed by international sources, as well as the development of digital systems to facilitate trade, which has contributed to improving Egypt's ranking in the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index, where it jumped to 54th place in 2023.

Al-Mashat announced the upcoming launch of Egypt’s National Narrative for Economic Development next June, which will include key insights covering: macroeconomic stability, foreign investment flows, industry and trade performance, and workforce readiness. 

She affirmed that Egypt's goal is focused on achieving real growth, providing job opportunities, and enhancing the economy's resilience in the face of global and regional crises.

In response to a question about how Egypt balances long-term development planning with the need for flexibility in a rapidly changing global economy, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat confirmed that Egypt, like other countries, is navigating through overlapping crises, from climate change and geopolitical shifts to technological acceleration, all of which require a delicate balance between commitment to long-term development goals and the quick adaptability to emerging global challenges. 

Al-Mashat pointed to Egypt's endeavors to achieve this balance through an institutional transformation towards integrated policy-based planning. She noted that the General Planning Law, which establishes the medium-term economic plan, is now closely linked to the Unified Public Finance Law, ensuring consistency in plans, budgets, and fiscal policy. This integration enables responsible adjustment of goals in response to various evolving challenges.

Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib participated in High-level Ministerial Session, part of the US-Egypt Policy Leaders Forum 2025

El-Khatib noted that this forum represents an important platform for boosting the economic partnership between Egypt and the US, establishing new bridges of cooperation in light of rapid global changes.

Egypt has witnessed a qualitative shift in infrastructure development over the past decade, including the establishment of new cities, road networks, ports, and airports, in addition to energy projects, El-Khatib added.

The minister highlighted that these developments secured a more competitive and attractive environment for local and foreign investment.

Additionally, he noted that the state is currently working to implement a package of financial, monetary, and commercial reforms that ensure transparency and promote growth.

For the first time, El-Khatib announced a comprehensive inventory of all fees and non-tax financial burdens imposed on investors. This aims to reduce burdens and improve governance and transparency.

This reform is being implemented in two phases, with the first focusing on burdens imposed on all sectors. This includes fees for the Training and Qualification Fund, which has been amended under the Labor Law to 0.25% of the minimum insurance wage, instead of 1% of net profit.

Meanwhile, the second phase aims to reduce non-tax financial burdens, restructure the financial relationship between the state and the investor, while clarifying the investor's rights and obligations towards the state during the investment period.

The minister also announced the launch of a temporary platform for investment licensing in the coming days, adding that the platform will include 389 services and electronic licenses in its first phase.

Later on, the "Economic Entities" platform will be launched to cover the entire project lifecycle, from inception through licensing to operation.

As for foreign trade, he stated that the government aims to double exports to reach 20% of gross domestic product (GDP) and reduce customs clearance times from 14 days to two by the end of 2025, through efficiency improvements and the removal of non-tariff barriers.

He noted recent regulatory reforms, including the adoption of US safety standards for vehicle imports and streamlined Halal certification rules, to facilitate market access and enhance competitiveness.

Minister El-Khatib also said Egypt is working to lower conformity assessment fees for food products and expand the role of the Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE) by transferring more state-owned assets to maximise investment returns.

Monday, May 26^th, 2025

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a delegation of US businessmen participating in the Egyptian-US Economic Forum held in Cairo. The delegation was headed by CEO and President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Suzanne Clark and Chairman of the US-Egypt Business Council and CEO of Apache Corporation John J. Christmann. Also present were Prime Minister Dr. Moustafa Madbouly, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Eng. Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Dr. Badr Abdel-Atty and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Eng. Hassan El-Khatib.

The President first met with Ms. Clark and Mr. Christmann before being joined by the members of the delegation. The President expressed Egypt's readiness to cooperate with the American business community and investors in all economic fields of mutual interest, in light of US President Trump's support to enhancing cooperation between Egyptian and American companies.
President El-Sisi affirmed that Egypt looked forward to becoming a major industrial hub for American industries, also serving as a large market and a gateway to the Arab region and the African continent, in light of the strong relations Egypt shares with the continent’s countries.

The President also affirmed that Egypt looked forward to establishing an American industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and emphasized that Egypt was ready to provide all the necessary facilities to American investors, noting that investing in Egypt is an opportunity for any investor, as it enjoys both political and societal stability, based on the awareness of citizens and their resilience in enduring the major and harsh economic reforms that were implemented to achieve the public interest, in light of the difficult political circumstances that the region is experiencing and their ensuing repercussions.

Ms. Clark noted that the delegation’s visit to Egypt confirms the strength and solidity of the strategic alliance between Egypt and the USA. She explained that American companies operating in Egypt have achieved significant successes and contributed to the development process in Egypt and are considered a model to be emulated in the success of cooperation between the two countries, similar to the Apache Corporation. This was highly valued by the President, who expressed his appreciation for the success of Apache's business in Egypt and the expansion of its scope of work.

Afterwards, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi held an expanded meeting with the representatives of US companies.

The President welcomed them and emphasized the deep and strong Egyptian-American strategic relations, and Egypt's keenness to strengthen them in all fields to serve the interests of both parties, especially in the economic, trade and investment fields. The President noted that Egypt is a large market and has a ready and advanced infrastructure to receive investments, and that legislative reforms have been implemented to attract foreign investments, adding there are areas such as the Suez Canal Economic Zone that provide all facilities for foreign companies and investors. The President reviewed the massive efforts undertaken by the Egyptian government within the framework of the economic reform program, which has contributed to a significant improvement in macroeconomic indicators, enhanced productivity, and created job opportunities.

President El-Sisi highlighted the vast opportunities available to foreign investors in Egypt, given its unique geographic location, serving as a gateway to Arab and African markets, as well as Europe. The President welcomed both current and new American investments and stated that the state was ready to eliminate any obstacles to ensure the success of American companies and investors in Egypt, in appreciation of the special Egyptian-American relations. The President noted the state's keenness to enhance the role of the private sector in driving economic development.

The meeting focused on Egypt's priority investment sectors, including the communications and information technology, AI, medical device and pharmaceutical production, the automotive industry, renewable energy production, construction and infrastructure, and the food industry. This is due to Egypt's competitive advantages in these sectors. The President emphasized the priority Egypt accords to localizing the industry.

The President listened to interventions from the delegation members, who expressed their appreciation for the Egyptian government's commitment to supporting investment and economic development. They affirmed their keenness to capitalize on the promising opportunities offered by the Egyptian market and economy to achieve common interests.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emmigration, Dr.Badr Abdelatty, participated on Monday, May 26, in the Egypt-U.S. Economic Policy Leaders Forum, hosted in Cairo under the auspices of the President of the Republic

Minister Abdelatty delivered an address during a special session entitled “The Strategic Relationship Between Egypt and the United States,” in which he praised the depth of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States. He noted that economic and commercial relations constitute one of the fundamental pillars of the strategic partnership between the two countries, serving mutual interests. He affirmed that advancing economic and trade relations, attracting American investments to Egypt, and enhancing existing investments are key priorities for the Egyptian state.

Minister Abdelatty expressed Egypt’s aspiration to attract more direct American investments in light of the opportunities offered by the Egyptian market across various sectors. He emphasized the readiness of the Egyptian government, with all its institutions, to cooperate with American and international companies and ensure the facilitation of their entry and operations in the Egyptian market. In this regard, Minister Abdelatty reviewed the recent steps and measures taken by the state to improve the investment climate and business environment in Egypt, affirming Egypt’s commitment to implementing economic reforms and granting the private sector a leading role in the country’s economic development.

Minister Abdelatty also expressed his hope that this forum would serve as a starting point for a series of future events and forums that would contribute to deepening economic and investment cooperation between Egypt and the United States.

Abdelatty outlined Egypt’s position on a number of regional challenges facing the country. He addressed Egypt’s efforts to resume the ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Strip, emphasizing the necessity of reaching a just and lasting political solution to the Palestinian cause. He also elaborated on Egypt’s stance on the crises in Sudan, Libya, and the Red Sea, underscoring that Egypt continues to exert dedicated efforts to achieve peace, security, and stability in the region.

Minister Abdelatty also highlighted in his remarks the implications of de-escalation in the Red Sea region on maritime navigation, international trade, and supply chains, as well as its contribution to global economic recovery. He pointed out that the resumption of regular naval traffic in the Red Sea and through the Suez Canal serves the global economy, particularly in light of a series of geopolitical challenges that have recently disrupted navigation and stability, leading to Egypt bearing a significant economic cost. Minister Abdelatty emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of regional conflicts to preserve long-term stability in the Red Sea.

At the end of the event, Minister Abdelatty further participated in an interactive discussion session on bilateral relations between Egypt and the United States and explored ways to elevate economic and investment cooperation between the two countries to broader horizons.

The “Accelerating Egypt's Digital Transformation through AI for Economic Growth” Session, part of the US-Egypt Policy Leaders Forum 2025

The Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat has delivered the keynote address at the “Accelerating Egypt's Digital Transformation through AI for Economic Growth” session, part of the US-Egypt Policy Leaders Forum 2025. The session was attended by President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham) Omar Mohanna; CEO of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) Ahmed Elzaher; members of AmCham and the Egypt-US Business Council (EUSBC); and executives from international technology companies.

In his address, Talaat affirmed Egypt’s ongoing efforts to strengthen digital capabilities and adopt emerging technologies—especially artificial intelligence—through a comprehensive strategy to build Digital Egypt. He highlighted that the ICT sector has become a key pillar of the national economy, achieving the highest growth rate among state sectors at 16% annually. The sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product has doubled over the past seven years, rising from 3.2% to 6%.

Talaat emphasized that citizens remain central to the Digital Egypt strategy, which seeks to expand access to digital services and develop digital skills to qualify individuals for quality employment opportunities. He noted that digital capacity-building programs are available to all age groups, with the number of trainees increasing from 4,000 in 2018 to 500,000 annually.

Further, he highlighted the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology’s commitment to developing a highly skilled digital workforce through advanced educational initiatives. These include the establishment of approximately 19 WE Applied Technology Schools and the founding of Egypt University of Informatics (EUI) in Knowledge City, New Administrative Capital—the first university in Africa specialized in ICT.

The ICT Minister also drew attention to efforts fostering a conducive environment for digital innovation and entrepreneurship through the expansion of Creativa Innovation Hubs, which now number around 24 across 20 governorates.

Additionally, Talaat noted that Egypt has emerged as a global hub for offshoring services, leveraging its competitive advantages to attract increased investment from international companies. The number of offshoring firms operating in Egypt has grown by 180% since 2021, rising from 64 to over 180 companies, establishing more than 200 delivery centers.

He added that exports of outsourcing services have increased by 80% over the past three years. The government is also committed to promoting local electronics manufacturing by creating an enabling environment for investment. Currently, nine companies manufacture mobile phones in Egypt, targeting production of over 9 million units this year, with local added value exceeding 40%.

Talaat highlighted Egypt’s strategic role in global data traffic, stating that the country handles over 90% of data traffic between Asia and Europe. He noted that 20 international submarine cables pass through Egypt—including five under construction—alongside 10 landing stations, with plans to add two more within the coming year. He also emphasized ongoing efforts to enhance digital infrastructure nationwide through expanded fiber optic networks and new cellular towers.

The ICT Minister reaffirmed that digital transformation is a cornerstone of the Digital Egypt vision. He reported that over 200 digital government services are now accessible to citizens, accompanied by major digitization projects, including the Universal Health Insurance system and the automation of agricultural land tenure. He also underscored efforts to develop the legislative framework and adopt policies ensuring effective governance in the ICT sector.

Talaat reviewed the government’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence through the National AI Strategy, first launched in 2019 and strengthened by a second edition released earlier this year. The updated strategy aims to build a sustainable and competitive AI industry founded on strong governance, advanced technology, reliable data, robust infrastructure, an enabling ecosystem, and skilled human capital, ultimately supporting Egypt’s development.

He also noted ongoing projects to develop AI applications delivering innovative solutions across sectors, such as machine translation, modernization of the litigation system, early disease detection, and the use of satellite imagery to define agricultural land boundaries and analyze crop composition.

The ICT Minister further highlighted key ICT sector developments, noting Egypt’s classification as Category A in the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index (GTMI) and its “Advanced” readiness level in the International Telecommunication Union’s G5 Benchmark. Egypt leads Africa in median fixed broadband speed and offers the continent’s second-lowest fixed internet prices.

He added that Egypt’s ranking on the Government AI Readiness Index improved by 46 positions from 2019 to 2024. Egypt also ranks among the top three countries in the MENA region for providing an enabling environment for startup growth and entrepreneurship.

In this context, Talaat witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MCIT and IBM, supporting national efforts to develop specialized AI expertise. The agreement aims to train and qualify 20,000 individuals annually—totaling 100,000 trainees over five years—while promoting the responsible use of technology.

The MoU was signed by Vice Minister for Infrastructure and Digital Transformation Raafat Hindy and IBM General Manager and Technology Leader, North East Africa Marwa Abbas, in the presence of General Manager of IBM Middle East and Africa Saad Toma.

The agreement includes specialized training via IBM SkillsBuild, a free platform designed to provide foundational and advanced AI learning paths, along with a quantum computing course. Trainees receive recognized digital credentials in high-demand fields such as AI, data science, and cybersecurity.

The program targets students, job seekers, and professionals, offering career guidance, career path development, and practical project experience.

MCIT will facilitate training opportunities and coordinate the selection of qualified participants—including young talent, developers, government officials, employees from the public and private sectors, technicians, and experts—to attend workshops and training. The Ministry will also integrate IBM’s participation into major national AI events.

Under the MoU, IBM will facilitate knowledge exchange and transfer of global best practices regarding AI trends and applications across sectors, while raising awareness of the Egyptian Charter for Responsible AI.

The ICT Minister described this collaboration as a significant step toward expanding Egypt’s local AI talent pool, enhancing efforts to harness AI for digital transformation and economic growth. He emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to building strategic partnerships with leading technology firms to develop skilled professionals equipped to meet future labor market demands.

For her part, IBM General Manager and Technology Leader, North East Africa Marwa Abbas said the MoU reflects IBM’s commitment to supporting Egypt’s digital transformation. Through SkillsBuild, IBM aims to bridge the digital skills gap, empower youth, and promote ethical AI practices. She noted close collaboration with MCIT to build a resilient and sustainable digital future based on innovation and national talent development.

The forum also announced an initiative to accelerate AI adoption in key sectors, positioning Egypt as a leader in advanced technology implementation. This collaborative effort involves MCIT, priority ministries, AmCham, American technology companies, and Egyptian and American business communities with shared interests in AI.

The initiative focuses on supporting startups with funding, mentoring, and investor networking, while encouraging AI innovation. It promotes digital skill development through training, integration of AI in education, and international expertise exchange. It also aims to strengthen public-private partnerships by implementing joint pilot projects, monitoring outcomes, and fostering cross-sector collaborations to develop innovative solutions.

Additionally, the initiative seeks to raise awareness of AI’s benefits and risks through campaigns, and to advance AI governance via forums and workshops aimed at establishing ethical and regulatory frameworks for AI in Egypt. An executive committee, including all partners, will be formed to ensure ongoing coordination and monitoring through regular meetings.