Egypt’s vision for achieving comprehensive development, one that is based on strengthening the role of the private sector, expanding investment opportunities, and creating an attractive environment for entrepreneurship, was centre stage during the meetings of Egyptian officials with global business leaders at the annual meetings of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, which concluded on 23 February.
Egypt’s presence at the WEF, marked by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi’s attendance and high-level engagement, signalled a renewed global economic positioning at a pivotal moment of geopolitical realignment, Walid Ramadan, public affairs strategist at Influence Public Affairs, told Al-Ahram Weekly.
President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi seized the opportunity of the high-profile global gathering to stress that Egypt is unwavering in its ambitious economic reform programme despite regional and global crises.
According to Ramadan, Davos 2026 was widely described as reflecting a changing global economic order, where multipolar cooperation and investment flows matter as much as traditional diplomacy. Yet, within this context, Egypt’s strategic participation not only affirmed its appeal to global capital but also positioned the country as a bridge between opportunity and stability in a complex international landscape.
During his message to a special dialogue session at the WEF as well as a closed-door dialogue attended by around 70 CEOs and heads of global financial and investment institutions, the president stressed that Egypt was intent on bolstering private-sector participation and doubling its contribution to economic growth, promising to continue reducing the state’s footprint in the economy to create space for private investment.
He said the private sector was “an indispensable primary partner in achieving economic growth and development”, noting the steps taken by the state such as placing a cap on government investments and planning for divestment from certain public companies. Egypt is also implementing its State Ownership Policy Document, which sets clear limits for state activity and outlines sectors open to private participation, the president said.
He also highlighted efforts to enhance the investment climate by extending wide-ranging incentives to priority sectors, including electric vehicle production, information technology, pharmaceuticals, and new and renewable energy production particularly of green hydrogen. These measures are being reinforced by the enactment of the green hydrogen incentives law, the rollout of the golden license scheme, continued reforms to the legislative and tax framework, and the streamlining of procedures through a unified digital platform.
Al-Sisi also reviewed infrastructure development, pointing to upgrades in road, transport, and railway networks, improvements in port efficiency, as well as developing the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE). These efforts are complemented by ongoing Suez Canal development projects aimed at strengthening its position as a critical artery for global trade.
President Al-Sisi invited investors to take full cognisance of the incentives and logistical capabilities Egypt possesses. He stressed the government’s full support to investors and readiness to address any challenges that hinder their operations.
At the heart of Egypt’s message was a clear economic narrative backed by numbers, noted Ramadan. For example, he said, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk announced that private investment in Egypt surged by 72 per cent over the past year, underscoring robust market confidence and the results of sustained reform efforts to improve the business climate and unlock private sector dynamism.
Meanwhile, International Cooperation Minister Rania Al-Mashat told the US business site Bloomberg on the sidelines of the meetings that Egypt’s economy has shown “strong resilience” despite operating in a volatile neighbourhood bordering Gaza, Sudan, and Libya.
She said the country had recorded around five per cent growth and achieved record tourism revenues over the past year, reflecting the impact of a “comprehensive and well-sequenced reform package”.
Al-Mashat said that, within the framework of its Narrative for Comprehensive Development, Egypt is now paving the way for a second phase of reforms focused on higher value-added production, productivity gains, and trade expansion.
She said that growth and job creation remain core priorities of the reforms, alongside continued investment in human capital, particularly in health and education. The fiscal space created by the reforms, combined with mechanisms to address financing gaps, will be fully directed toward strengthening social spending, she said.
Trade and Investment Minister Hassan Al-Khatib, also speaking to Bloomberg, highlighted monetary stability, a sharp drop in inflation from last year’s peak, rising foreign reserves, and a surge in remittances as features of Egypt’s economy. He described global supply chain shifts as an opportunity for Egypt, given its location at the crossroads of three continents and its extensive free trade agreements.
“We’re seeing investments from European companies, American companies, and Asian companies,” Al-Khatib said, adding that port expansions on the Red Sea and Mediterranean mean Egypt is “ready from an infrastructure point of view”.
He said that industry was a priority, with strong emphasis on boosting exports. Egypt is highly competitive in what are described as transitionary or intermediate industries, he said, pointing out that the country hosts a wide range of feeder industries, such as wiring harnesses, and this base continues to expand.
There is increasing production of higher value-added goods across key sectors, he said, describing this as the way forward in his comments to Bloomberg.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 29 January, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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