Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, presented Egypt’s latest economic developments and investment opportunities during her participation in the Economic Forum held on the sidelines of the Egyptian-European Summit in Brussels, co-chaired by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
The forum brought together more than 300 participants, including representatives of over 60 European companies, 100 Egyptian firms, and 15 international financial institutions, as well as officials from EU-affiliated economic bodies. Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Eng. Hassan El-Khatib also took part in the summit.
Egypt-EU Relation …. Visionary Partnership
Speaking in a session titled “Building a Strategic Investment Corridor Between Egypt and Europe,” Minister Al-Mashat emphasized that the strategic partnership between Egypt and the European Union is not confined to financial cooperation but is based on a shared development vision and joint pursuit of future opportunities.
She highlighted the important role of European financial institutions, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), in funding joint projects in renewable energy, sustainable transport, and water management. She noted that successful European investment experiences in Egypt demonstrate the potential for further expansion in priority sectors.
March 2024 as a Turning Point for Egypt’s Economy
The Minister reviewed the progress of Egypt’s economy since March 2024, describing that period as a turning point resulting from fiscal and monetary policy adjustments and the adoption of a public-investment ceiling.
These measures, she said, have enhanced macroeconomic stability, restored investor confidence, and revived private-sector activity despite challenging regional and global conditions.
Al-Mashat pointed out that Egypt’s GDP grew by 5% in the last quarter of FY 2024/25 and by 4.4% over the full fiscal year, supported by exports, non-oil manufacturing, ICT, and tourism—sectors that reflect the real opportunities within Egypt’s productive economy.
Structural and Green-Economy Reforms Underway
The Minister underlined that the Egyptian government continues to implement ambitious structural reforms to strengthen competitiveness, attract private investment, and advance the green-economy transition.
The National Structural Reform Program focuses on three key objectives:
- Maintaining macroeconomic stability.
- Improving the investment climate and business environment.
- Driving the transition toward a sustainable, green economy.
She noted that green transformation is a central pillar of the Egypt-EU partnership, with Egypt expanding its renewable-energy capacity and diversifying power generation sources.
Egypt’s National Narrative…. A Unified Reform Framework
Al-Mashat explained that these government actions are coordinated through the Economic Ministerial Committee, operating as a unified team under the framework of the “National Narrative for Economic Development.”
The framework defines Egypt’s new economic model—shifting toward high-productivity, value-added sectors to achieve sustainable growth and job creation.
High-Level European Participation
The session featured Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Gelsomina Vellotti, Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB)Tarek Tawfik, President of BusinessMED (Union of Mediterranean Business Organizations), and Lapo Pistelli, Director of Public Affairs at ENI
All participants emphasized the importance of deepening Euro-Egyptian investment ties and strengthening the strategic corridor between the two shores of the Mediterranean.
