Dr. Ahmed Rustam, Egypt's Minister of Planning and Economic Development, participated in a discussion session organized by the US-Middle East Partnership for Entrepreneurship at the B20 Summit 2026 in Washington, DC. The session included Dr. Mohamed Farid, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, and Egyptian Ambassador to the US Mohamed El Malla, along with representatives from major American companies and the US private sector.
During the meeting, Dr. Rustam outlined the proactive measures taken by the Egyptian government to drive economic reform and maintain financial stability. He emphasized that Egypt's economy continues to achieve growth rates that exceed international institutions' expectations, demonstrating its resilience and ability to positively address regional and global geopolitical shocks and crises.
Dr. Rustam invited the American business community and companies to explore promising economic and investment cooperation opportunities in the Egyptian market, leveraging incentives and structural reforms to improve the business climate. He noted that the state has started implementing the National Economic Transformation Program 2027-2030, aiming to build on previous achievements and transition to sustainable, high-quality economic growth that positively impacts citizens' living standards.
The program focuses on developing productive and service sectors, driving growth through investment and exports rather than consumption, and prioritizing the empowerment of the private sector to lead development. Dr. Rustam also highlighted that the entrepreneurship and startup sector is a top priority for the government, in line with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's directives to support innovation.
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development is implementing a package of presidential tasks, including launching a specialized program to provide "unicorn" companies, as well as a comprehensive financing initiative to empower startups and provide financial support to convert promising student research and studies into tangible, economically viable projects.
Dr. Rustam concluded his speech by affirming that the Ministry is working on a comprehensive executive program to promote entrepreneurship, aiming to enable Egyptian startups to expand regionally and internationally. The program seeks to create an environment conducive to business growth and investment, aligning with Egypt's economic transformation goals.
The Egyptian government's efforts to enhance economic cooperation with the American business community reflect its commitment to fostering partnerships and driving sustainable growth. By engaging with prominent US companies and investors, Egypt aims to unlock new opportunities for collaboration and investment, ultimately contributing to the country's economic development and prosperity.
Key points
- Egypt's economy continues to achieve growth rates exceeding international institutions' expectations.
- The government has started implementing the National Economic Transformation Program 2027-2030 to drive sustainable growth.
- The entrepreneurship and startup sector is a top priority for the Egyptian government, with initiatives to support innovation and empower startups.
