This came during Rahmy’s speech at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) SMEs and Entrepreneurship Committee meeting in Paris.

The meeting focused on peer-reviewing the “SME and Entrepreneurship Policy in Egypt” report, a key outcome of MSMEDA’s ongoing SME Policies project, which is part of Egypt's Country Programme activities.

Rahmy affirmed that MSMEs are pivotal in driving sustainable and inclusive growth. This business represents 90 percent of Egypt’s private sector, contributes EGP 1.2 trillion in production value, accounts for 43 percent of the nation’s GDP, and employs 75 percent of the workforce.

The “SME and Entrepreneurship Policy in Egypt” report aims to evaluate and enhance the design, implementation, and performance of SME and entrepreneurship policies in Egypt, mainly focusing on fintech and digitalization. This initiative aligns with MSMEDA’s vision to create a robust ecosystem and effective policies that foster the SMEs' growth and resilience, which helps to nurture a competitive private sector.

Rahmy also highlighted the collaborative nature of the review process, which involved national Egyptian government entities, private sector representatives, academics, civil society, and entrepreneurs.

The policy review provides recommendations across several key areas and aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the National Programme for Structural Reforms. It also included capacity-building workshops for Egyptian policymakers, featuring international best practices and strategies.

He further highlighted that Egypt’s Vision 2030 prioritizes the development of SMEs and entrepreneurship, prompting the adoption of various national policies to improve SME performance and bolster their contribution to economic growth.

In light of this, MSMEDA was established in 2017 as the central body for SME and entrepreneurship development. Further, MSME Law No. 152/2020 was introduced, which provides a unified definition of MSMEs and offers tax and non-tax incentives to support formalization and growth.

Rahmy also discussed the Egyptian government’s recent 2024-2027 programme, which aims to foster a competitive economy, attract investment, and enhance the business environment, focusing on empowering start-ups. 

Looking ahead, Rahmy unveiled MSMEDA’s plans to continue strengthening the MSME ecosystem, addressing challenges, and laying the groundwork for further sectoral growth.

Building on Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), MSMEDA is developing a National MSME and Entrepreneurship Strategy to lead the private sector’s long-term, sustainable development.

Also, MSMEDA supports Egypt’s National Climate Change Strategy (NCCS) 2050 by promoting green entrepreneurship and encouraging youth to establish eco-friendly businesses, particularly in innovative sectors, such as renewable energy and technology.

To support the sector's transition into the digital age, MSMEDA launched the “MSME National Platform,” a comprehensive online hub that provides valuable information and services to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.