The president made his remarks during the opening of the conference on Saturday.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was also in attendance for the event, which kicked off under the title ”Unleashing Egypt's Potential in a Rapidly Changing World."

El-Sisi said the event represents the first executive steps in the process of upgrading the Egypt-EU relations under the Egypt-EU Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership agreed upon by both sides during the Egypt-EU Summit in March 2024 in Cairo.

The conference “reflects the commitment of Egypt and the European Union to move beyond the stage of pledges to the stage of implementation,” the Egyptian president added.

The Egypt-EU strategic partnership encompasses six key pillars, with the investment axis being at the forefront, El-Sisi added, stressing the two sides’ commitment to strengthening their cooperation across various priority economic sectors such as trade, energy, infrastructure, sustainable transportation, agriculture, food security, digital transformation, and water, among other vital areas.

This partnership, he added, is expected to mobilize European investments estimated at around € 5 billion and investment guarantees worth € 1.8 billion for the private sector.

This will contribute to increasing foreign direct investments and enabling the European business community to capitalize on the abundant investment potential available in Egypt, he added.

“The European Union… is the most prominent trade and investment partner for the Egyptian economy,” the president asserted.

El-Sisi highlighted that the conference comes at a critical juncture amid the successive international and regional crises that “have cast a heavy shadow and imposed multiple economic burdens on countries worldwide.”

Such circumstances, he noted, necessitate continued support and coordination between Egypt and its European partners to address these challenges sustainably, particularly after Egypt has proven to be a reliable partner in confronting common challenges, contributing to security and stability in the region.

The Egyptian president also underlined the reforms made by the government to further empower the private sector, increase the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy, and support the green transformation while mobilizing foreign direct investments.

President El-Sisi expressed his hope that the conference will provide European countries and economic entities with an in-depth understanding of the abundant investment opportunities available in Egypt.

He highlighted key areas that hold immense potential for spurring economic growth and employment, such as the communications and information technology sector, manufacturing industries, production of clean and renewable energy, and the circular economy.

The President asserted that Egypt, given its strategic location, can serve as a regional hub for supply chains for European companies, as well as a centre for the transfer and circulation of renewable and green energy.

 

All eyes are on the investment opportunities Cairo is expected to showcase during the event.

A wide range of high-level government officials from Egypt and EU countries and representatives of development partners and multilateral institutions are participating in the conference. 

The Egypt-EU Investment Conference is the first major step in implementing the Egypt-EU Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership agreed upon by both sides during the Egypt-EU Summit in March 2024 in Cairo.

Under the agreement, Egypt would receive €7.4 billion in EU funding until 2027.

Day 1

The first day of the conference will start with a session on the economic reform measures implemented by the Egyptian government to create an attractive investment environment for the private sector.

A second discussion session will focus on strategic measures to transform Egypt into a hub for foreign companies.

The agenda also includes a session on the importance of cooperation programs between Egypt, the International Monetary Fund, and the European Union, and their role in supporting the private sector.

Other sessions will be held throughout the day to highlight efforts to prepare Egypt's business environment to become a manufacturing hub – including segments on logistics services nationwide and opportunities for localizing car manufacturing and enhancing the pharmaceutical industry.

The first day's discussions will include talks on investment opportunities in the renewable energy sector in Egypt, including hydrogen and added-value chains in this field.