Egypt’s Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr called on the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to support developing countries in terms of regional trade, investment attraction and achieving economic development, amid the current tensions affecting the global economy.

The remarks were part of a speech the minister delivered at the Group of 24's ministerial meeting in Washington, held on the sidelines of the spring meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The meeting was attended by CEO of the World Bank Kristalina Georgieva and IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde.

The minister underscored the importance of the efforts made by strong international financial organisations and all development partners to help reform and diversify economies of the Group of 24, a bloc of emerging and developing market nations.

Nasr noted that strong economic reforms have been implemented in Egypt and contributed to developing its economy.

She added that concrete steps have been taken to provide a climate attracting investments, which she said has led the private sector to direct its investments to Egypt.

The minister said job opportunities can be provided through the empowerment of women and youth, improving the business climate, and promoting the private sector’s participation in investment in the neediest areas.

These are among the Egyptian government’s key targets of its economic reform programme, she added.