Egypt's Information and Decision Support Center, affiliated with the Cabinet, recently organized a workshop to discuss the national economic transformation program. This event was part of the preparations for the "Egypt 2026" forum, scheduled to take place from October 19 to 24. The workshop brought together experts, specialists, and representatives from various think tanks to share their insights and recommendations on the program's features. The goal is to ensure maximum community participation in the forum's activities and incorporate the visions and ideas of these centers and experts into its sessions.
The workshop saw the participation of a selection of experts and specialists who discussed the features of the national economic program for the period 2027-2030. This comes as the current program with the International Monetary Fund is set to conclude. The discussions focused on transitioning to a new phase that builds on past achievements and aims to enhance sustainable growth, increase productivity and competitiveness, and boost production, exports, and employment. The private sector is expected to play a leading role in this new phase.
The discussions during the workshop covered several key areas, including the drivers for transitioning to a new national economic program, its future priorities, and the proposed features of the program and its implementation mechanisms. The role of the private sector in leading growth, identifying the sectors most capable of driving production and exports, and prioritizing reforms and interventions over the program's years were also addressed.
Participants also discussed several issues related to the program's implementation and the sustainability of its impact. These included the distribution of execution responsibilities among concerned parties, linking procedures and projects to funding sources, the general budget, and the state's investment plan. Addressing debt and foreign currency challenges, energy and investment issues, and enhancing social protection and equal opportunities were also on the agenda. The goal is to ensure more inclusive growth and the ability to face global shocks and changes.
Experts emphasized the need for clear visions and policies. Dr. Fakhri Al-Faqri, a professor of economics at Cairo University, noted that Egypt has a clear vision for the future and is implementing several national programs in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund. He highlighted the importance of increasing foreign direct investment and improving the investment climate. Dr. Yamen Al-Hamaki, a professor of economics at Ain Shams University, stressed the need for economic programs to be based on a precise reading of reality and to rely more on data when formulating policies.
The workshop also touched on the features of economic policy in the post-International Monetary Fund program era. Dr. Omar Al-Shneiti, an economic expert, emphasized the importance of determining these features, especially regarding exchange rate flexibility and dealing with short-term capital flows. He also highlighted the need for the state's role in economic activities to be clear, allowing investors a clearer vision of the state's and private sector's participation.
The discussions concluded with a focus on enhancing growth, investment, and development. The experts' proposals aimed at stimulating investment and maximizing the use of Egypt's economic assets. They suggested creating an attractive investment climate, providing incentives for the private sector, and rationalizing consumption. The Suez Canal Economic Zone was also proposed as a potential driver for development, given its existing capabilities to support economic activity and enhance investment opportunities.
Key points
- Egypt's Information and Decision Support Center holds workshop on national economic transformation program ahead of 2026 forum
- The program aims to enhance sustainable growth, increase productivity and competitiveness, and boost production, exports, and employment
- Experts emphasize the need for clear visions and policies to support economic transformation and investment in Egypt
