At the annual event hosted by the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Egypt under the theme “Egypt and Switzerland: A Journey of Progress Through Leadership,” Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, emphasized expanding bilateral partnerships and underscored Egypt’s steadfast commitment to inclusive development.
Joined by government officials including the Ministers of Civil Aviation and Public Business Sector, as well as Swiss Ambassador Dr. Andreas Baum and notable figures like former Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, the event spotlighted over a century of commercial ties and decades of development cooperation between the two nations.
“Switzerland has been a long-standing and dynamic partner,” said Al-Mashat. “Today, our cooperation spans infrastructure, renewable energy, digital transformation, and private sector development. We are now entering a new era.”
A New Economic Chapter Begins in Bern
Dr. Al-Mashat announced the first joint Egyptian-Swiss Economic Committee meeting held in Bern, following the bilateral agreement signed at the Davos 2025 summit. The committee, a collaborative platform between Egypt’s Ministry of Planning and Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), marks a historic milestone in fostering trade, investment, and economic diplomacy.“This joint committee reflects our mutual commitment to expanding our economic relationship, tackling shared challenges, and unlocking new markets,” she said.
Gender Equity at the Heart of Egypt’s Economic Vision
Dr. Al-Mashat also took the opportunity to highlight Egypt’s bold approach to women’s economic empowerment, a core pillar of the national development agenda. She pointed to Strategic Goal 7 of Egypt’s new Government Action Program (2024–2027), which focuses exclusively on gender equity in economic, political, and social spheres.
Through initiatives like the Women’s Empowerment and Financial Inclusion Program, developed in collaboration with the World Bank and UN Women, Egypt is targeting deeper female participation in entrepreneurship, particularly in Upper Egypt and rural areas.
“We’ve seen the financial inclusion rate for women nearly double from 27% in 2016 to 56.5% in 2023,” Al-Mashat said. “Closing the gender gap in financial access alone could boost GDP by up to 30%. These aren’t just social targets—they are economic imperatives.”
Towards Inclusive Growth
In closing, the Minister delivered a clear message: investing in women is not optional—it is essential. “With the continued support of international partners like Switzerland, we can accelerate inclusive growth and realize Egypt’s Vision 2030,” she stated. “Every woman in Egypt should have the chance to shape our economy with her ideas, skills, and leadership.”
