Egyptian Planning Minister, Dr. Ahmed Rustam, recently held a meeting with representatives from various international financial institutions and rating agencies. The meeting aimed to review the country's current economic developments and discuss the features of the National Economic Transformation Program. The program seeks to achieve a structural transformation of the economy, focusing on production, export, and investment. Dr. Rustam emphasized the government's commitment to continuous communication and exchange of experiences with international financial institutions.
The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials from several institutions, including the United Nations, the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the African Development Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the European Union, the International Labor Organization, and the Japanese and Swiss agencies. Dr. Rustam highlighted Egypt's economic resilience, with a growth rate of 5.1% at the end of the 2025/2026 fiscal year. He also mentioned that the country's economic indicators remain positive for the current fiscal year.
The National Economic Transformation Program was developed based on existing sectoral strategies, industrial development strategies, and the national employment strategy. The program aims to accelerate growth and shift the economy's focus from consumption to production, export, and investment. Dr. Rustam stressed the importance of continuous coordination with the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank, and other ministries to address global variables.
The program also focuses on supporting entrepreneurship, start-ups, and small and medium-sized enterprises to enhance their competitiveness. Dr. Rustam announced that efforts are underway to develop legal and legislative frameworks for commercial arbitration to improve the investment climate and protect investors' rights. The program includes a comprehensive plan to support entrepreneurship and start-ups.
Dr. Rustam emphasized the government's commitment to implementing structural reforms outlined in the "State Ownership Policy Document" and the public offering program. These efforts aim to create space for the private sector to lead growth. The government plans to expand innovative long-term financing tools, diversify funding sources, and enhance liquidity to facilitate the expansion of national and private projects.
The Planning Minister highlighted the importance of continuous communication with international financial institutions to benefit from their accumulated expertise in supporting Egypt's reform efforts. The government aims to create a more favorable business environment and encourage investment. Dr. Rustam's meeting with international financial institutions and rating agencies reflects the government's commitment to achieving sustainable economic growth.
The Egyptian government is working to enhance its economic relations with international partners and create a more attractive investment climate. The National Economic Transformation Program is a key initiative in this effort, aiming to transform the economy and achieve sustainable growth. The program's success will depend on effective implementation and coordination with various stakeholders.
Key points
- The Egyptian government aims to achieve a structural transformation of the economy, focusing on production, export, and investment.
- The National Economic Transformation Program was developed based on existing sectoral strategies and aims to accelerate growth.
- The program includes a comprehensive plan to support entrepreneurship, start-ups, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
