H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development & International Cooperation, received a high-level delegation from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The delegation was led by Ambassador Nicolas Randin, Assistant Director-General and Head of the Africa Division at SDC, and included H.E. Mr. Andreas Baum, the newly appointed Swiss Ambassador to Egypt, Mr. Leo Näscher, Head of the North Africa Division at SDC, and Mr. Markus Schrader, Head of Countries and Global Portfolio Section, at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs Economic Cooperation and Development. The meeting aimed to discuss the new cooperation program between Switzerland and Egypt.
At the start of the meeting, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat congratulated H.E. Mr. Andreas Baum on his new role as Swiss Ambassador to Egypt, expressing her best wishes for his success in fostering mutually beneficial achievements for both countries. She emphasized her commitment to enhancing the bilateral relationship, commending Switzerland’s vital role in supporting Egypt’s economic and social development.
Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted the long-standing partnership between Egypt and Switzerland, which spans over 45 years of bilateral cooperation. She noted that in 2019, both nations celebrated 110 years of trade relations, 40 years of development cooperation, and, in 2024, 90 years since the signing of the Treaty of Friendship.
The two sides discussed the proposed 2025–2028 cooperation program for Switzerland in Egypt. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat suggested the program focus on key objectives, including supporting economic reforms, improving the business environment, creating job opportunities, advancing sustainable urban development, addressing climate resilience, reducing poverty, and building capacities.
She underscored the importance of prioritizing technical assistance to support the private sector as a central pillar of the program. She also emphasized aligning the program with Egypt’s national strategies, such as Vision 2030, the “NWFE” platform, and other national initiatives.
The Minister outlined the government’s work program and the ministry’s role in implementing structural reforms, preparing and monitoring the national investment plan, and integrating domestic and external financing mechanisms to achieve development goals.
Ambassador Nicolas Randin reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Egypt through the new cooperation program. He emphasized Switzerland’s support for Egypt’s development efforts and the diversification of the cooperation portfolio to cover multiple sectors.
Both sides explored various topics of mutual interest, including triangular cooperation, which supports development among nations by leveraging expertise from developed countries. They also highlighted the significance of South-South Cooperation, a key mechanism advocated by the international community to exchange expertise and foster partnerships among developing nations to accelerate development efforts.