• Linking education and vocational training programs to labor market needs and expanding Applied Technology Schools in partnership with the private sector.

• Integrating fiscal and monetary policies and governing public investments enhances the sustainability of macroeconomic stability.

• More than 100 structural reforms have been implemented or are underway to improve the business environment and promote competitive neutrality to encourage private sector investment.

• Strengthening regional planning to bridge geographical development gaps and leverage the comparative advantages of each governorate.

• The Egyptian market has become a joint working platform for international institutions providing financing and technical support to the private sector.

• Concessional financing for local and foreign private sector companies has reached $16 billion since 2020.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, participated in the Enterprise Egypt Forum 2025, held under the title “Future-Proofing Egyptian Business.” The participation comes as part of the government’s ongoing commitment to engage with the private sector and business community to review the pillars of “Egypt’s Narrative for Economic Development: Reforms for Growth, Jobs & Resilience.”

During her address, Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized that Egypt’s Narrative for Economic Development is a new reform program that extends beyond the financial framework to include real economy sectors, with a structured timeline for implementing key structural reforms.

The Minister explained that the government aims to transition toward higher productivity sectors led by private sector participation—driving exports, opening new markets, and maintaining macroeconomic stability through integrated fiscal and monetary policies and governance of public investments.

Dr. Al-Mashat referred to the fiscal and monetary reforms implemented in March 2024, which followed a period of challenges stemming from geopolitical shocks in the region and globally. She noted the subsequent recovery in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), stressing the importance of examining the underlying sources of growth.

She highlighted that Egypt’s growth rate reached 4.4% during fiscal year 2024/2025 and 5% in the last quarter, driven mainly by the industrial sector, the Communications and Information Technology (CIT) sector, and tourism. While certain sectors such as the Suez Canal recorded negative growth, the overall expansion is supported by strong performance in industries including pharmaceuticals, automotive manufacturing, textiles, and select chemical industries.

On the tourism sector, Dr. Al-Mashat noted that it continues to benefit from extensive infrastructure development in recent years, pointing to the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum next November as a key milestone expected to attract additional visitors.

The Minister also stated that 57% of total investments during the past fiscal year came from the private sector—reflecting adherence to caps on public investments and the prioritization of strategic sectors. She emphasized that the government continues to implement reforms aimed at facilitating business operations and promoting fair competition, including revising exemptions previously granted to state-owned companies.

Dr. Al-Mashat clarified that the Structural Reform Program is built on three main pillars: maintaining macroeconomic stability, enhancing competitiveness and private sector participation, and advancing the green transition. She added that Egypt’s Narrative encompasses more than 100 structural reforms—either completed or ongoing—designed to strengthen the business climate and promote competitive neutrality.

She explained that the Narrative also includes a dedicated chapter on labor market efficiency and flexibility, focused on linking education and vocational training to employment needs, and expanding Applied Technology Schools in collaboration with the private sector. It further integrates strategies for trade, industry, and employment to ensure that Egypt’s economic model shifts toward higher productivity and job-intensive sectors, supported by relevant skill development and accreditation systems.

Dr. Al-Mashat underscored the strong growth in the industrial sector, particularly in ready-made garments and textiles. She noted that state measures have resulted in rising investments in these fields, especially in Upper Egypt—reflecting the government’s focus on localizing development, reducing regional disparities, and capitalizing on the comparative advantages of each governorate.

The Minister highlighted that numerous companies operating in Egypt are benefiting from concessional financing extended by international financial institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Egypt, she noted, has become a joint working platform for such institutions to channel financing directly to the private sector. Over the past four years alone, the Egyptian private sector has received more than $16 billion in credit lines, capital increases, and concessional loans under preferential terms.

On the green transition, Dr. Al-Mashat referred to the Country Platform for the NWFE Program (Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy projects)—an integrated investment platform through which numerous international and bilateral institutions are channeling finance directly to private sector projects. This, she explained, has enabled local and foreign companies to access international financing thanks to Egypt’s robust partnerships with the global community.

Among these initiatives, she cited the launch of a new project in Nagaa Hammadi to supply renewable energy to the Misr Aluminum complex, implemented by the Norwegian company Scatec with support from international financial institutions. She also highlighted the Ministry’s efforts to stimulate and expand such financing through existing partnerships—most notably, the investment guarantees with the European Union, valued at approximately €1.8 billion.

Regarding interest and inflation rates, Dr. Al-Mashat reiterated that policy clarity remains the key to sustaining investments. She referred to data from the Central Bank of Egypt, which outlined clear targets for inflation control. The integration of fiscal and monetary objectives, along with the governance of public investments, she noted, is what ensures the sustainability of macroeconomic stability—a fundamental driver of continued GDP recovery.

In response to a question on her outlook for 2026, Dr. Al-Mashat stated that the coming year will mark a significant turning point for Egypt, supported by positive developments recorded in the last fiscal year and the continued rise in growth rates. She emphasized that accelerating the pace of reforms—especially in improving the business environment, strengthening institutional and regulatory frameworks, and advancing social programs such as universal health insurance, social protection initiatives, and technical and vocational education—will collectively push the economy forward.

She added that the Suez Canal is expected to continue providing additional momentum for growth, while the oil and gas sector is showing signs of recovery. The tourism sector, she concluded, is achieving record performance this year, and 2026 is anticipated to continue this upward trajectory.