In a move signaling stronger international collaboration to bolster Egypt’s small business ecosystem, Bassel Rahmy, CEO of Egypt’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), welcomed Kim Yong-hyun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Cairo, for a high-level meeting focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the SME sector.
The discussions come as part of Egypt’s broader strategy to foster international knowledge exchange, improve entrepreneurial capacity, and advance economic inclusivity—central pillars of Egypt Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Shared Commitment to SME Growth
Rahmy emphasized the strategic importance of the meeting, noting MSMEDA’s role in leveraging international partnerships to scale up support for micro, small, and medium enterprises across Egypt.
“This collaboration with South Korea aligns with our national priorities and reflects our mutual vision of sustainable economic development through innovation and entrepreneurship,” Rahmy said.
The two sides reviewed ongoing areas of cooperation and explored new opportunities in:
- Access to finance and inclusive banking services
- Technology transfer and industrial supply chain integration
- Capacity building and vocational training
- Formalization of the informal economy
- SME export promotion and market access
Learning from South Korea’s Innovation-Driven SME Success
Acknowledging South Korea’s global reputation for entrepreneurship and innovation, Rahmy expressed MSMEDA’s interest in adapting Korean models of SME support to the Egyptian context—particularly in the fields of industrial innovation, smart manufacturing, and education-to-employment pathways.
Amb. Kim reciprocated the sentiment, noting the growing synergy between Egypt and Korea and the vast potential for joint ventures in emerging sectors.
Deepening Ties Through Economic Dialogue and Cultural Exchange
As a step toward cementing this evolving partnership, Ambassador Kim extended an official invitation to MSMEDA to attend the Korea–Egypt Economic Partnership and Cooperation Conference, scheduled for 30 September 2025. The conference aims to spotlight joint investment opportunities, technology sharing, and policy innovation in the SME space.
In return, Ambassador Kim was invited to attend the “Turathna” Handicrafts Exhibition on 4 October, a flagship MSMEDA event that celebrates Egypt’s artisanal industries and showcases the creative potential of Egyptian entrepreneurs.
MSMEDA: Driving Inclusive Growth in Egypt’s Private Sector
The engagement with South Korea marks the latest in a series of initiatives by MSMEDA to expand its global network of partnerships. As Egypt’s leading agency for SME development, MSMEDA plays a pivotal role in:
- Providing micro-financing and business advisory services
- Supporting women- and youth-led enterprises
- Encouraging innovation and green economy models
- Promoting entrepreneurship as a tool for economic and social empowerment
With South Korea’s advanced expertise and Egypt’s strategic focus on inclusive growth, the deepening partnership between MSMEDA and Korean institutions unlock new opportunities for Egypt’s SME sector—empowering entrepreneurs, creating jobs, and driving sustainable development in line with national and global objectives.
