The two-day US-Egypt Policy Leaders Forum wrapped up on Monday after bringing together top cabinet figures — Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli, nine ministers, and the head of the Suez Canal Zone — and more than 55 senior executives representing major US companies, and officials from the IFC, IMF, and World Bank.
The forum was organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham Egypt), in collaboration with the US Chamber of Commerce, the US-Egypt Business Council, and the Egypt-US Business Council.
On Monday, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi met the US business delegation led by Suzanne Clark, president of the US Chamber of Commerce, and John Christmann, chairman of the US Egypt Business Council and CEO of Apache Corporation.
According to Presidential Spokesman Mohamed Al-Shennawi, Al-Sisi emphasised the depth and strength of strategic Egyptian-US relations, and Egypt’s keenness to promote them in all fields to serve the interests of the two countries, especially in economic, commercial, and investment fields.
Al-Sisi said Egypt was fully ready to cooperate with the American business community and investors in all economic fields of mutual interest, especially in light of US President Donald Trump’s policy supportive of enhancing joint cooperation between Egyptian and American companies.
In particular, President Al-Sisi expressed Egypt’s interest in becoming a major industrial hub for American industries, while being a large market and gateway to the Arab world and the African continent.
Al-Sisi affirmed that Egypt is looking forward to establishing a US industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, emphasising that the government is ready to provide all the necessary facilities to American investors. “Investing in Egypt is an opportunity for any businessman, especially with the political stability the country enjoys,” said President Al-Sisi, noting that “Egypt’s relationship is balanced with its partners in Africa, and that American companies working with us will benefit from the good relationship between Egypt and Africa.” He added: “We are committed to the success of American companies in Egypt.”
Al-Shennawi said the meeting between Al-Sisi and the US business delegation addressed priority investment between the two countries, including the communications and information technology sector, artificial intelligence, medical services and pharmaceutical production, the automotive industry, renewable energy production, construction and infrastructure, and the food industry.
Clark pointed out that the visit confirms the strength of the strategic alliance between Egypt and America. She said American companies operating in Egypt are achieving tangible successes and contributing to the country’s development, citing the Apache as a model of fruitful bilateral cooperation.
Clark described the forum as a “milestone in our countries’ commercial relationship”. She said that since 1979 there has been significant expansion in bilateral trade, now totalling $8.6 billion annually. Clark said “I am here to listen, to learn, and to bring your perspectives back to our headquarters across from the White House — so I can be an even stronger advocate for this relationship and its immense potential.”
Mohamed Al-Manzlawi, deputy chairman of the Senate’s Industrial Committee, told Al-Ahram Weekly that the visit of the American business delegation was “historic”. This is the first time we see such a large number of senior executives representing major American companies visiting Egypt and expressing their willingness to invest in the country,” said Al-Manzlawi, adding that “they might have heard that Russia and China are establishing industrial cities in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and so they decided to follow suit with their own.”
The forum kicked off on Sunday with Prime Minister Madbouli delivering a speech to the American business community, inviting US investors to take advantage of Egypt’s expanding, reform-driven economic and strategic geographical location.
Madbouli underscored the forum’s significance in highlighting the strategic importance of economic cooperation between Egypt and the US.
He noted that over 1,800 American companies operate in Egypt, with US investments exceeding $47 billion in diverse sectors including energy, IT, and healthcare. He said Egypt is rich in investment opportunities, emphasising its role as a market of over 107 million people and a gateway to over 1.5 billion consumers across Africa and the Middle East.
Madbouli announced two key developments concerning the American business community. In the automotive sector, effective 11 May, Decree 112/2025 abolished Egypt’s mandatory production standards for fully manufactured US vehicles. This regulatory change, notified to the WTO, opens the Egyptian market to American cars without obstacles. “This step comes in response to the American side who submitted requests to remove obstacles imposed on US-made vehicles and allow them entry into the Egyptian market,” Madbouli said.
The step is expected to open up a sizable consumer market for American vehicle manufacturers who are losing market share elsewhere due to President Trump’s tariff showdown with many countries.
Second, a decree was issued on 12 March to allow US dairy products and derivatives to be permanently exempt from halal certification requirements. This will open the door for more American companies to export their dairy products to Egypt and represent a major boost for American agricultural exporters.
With a young, skilled labour force of over 110 million consumers and regional access across Africa, Europe, and the Gulf, Egypt is positioning itself as a future-ready production and innovation hub. “We are not just preparing for the future; we are building it and our market is now more open, transparent, and competitive than ever before and this is the time for American businesses to invest, expand and cooperate in Egypt,” Madbouli said. Most importantly, he added, Egypt and the US are finalising a mutual customs cooperation agreement.
“The new customs agreement is in its final stages and is set to be announced soon,” US Ambassador to Egypt Herro Mustafa Garg indicated at the forum on Sunday. Garg described the coming agreement as a “significant milestone” in promoting bilateral trade and American investment in Egypt.
Garg was keen to emphasise how “mutually beneficial trade and investment are a top priority” for the Trump administration, so US companies have a level playing field, whether working with the private or the public sector. And with this new trade relationship, Garg added that she is hopeful that “even more American companies especially in the information and communication technology sector will enter and expand their presence in the Egyptian market.”
Garg said the Egyptian government “has taken bold steps to remove long-standing non-tariff market barriers to American exports, and this represents a significant win for both countries, for our companies, and for our people.”
With new agreements on the horizon and trade barriers falling, both countries expressed optimism that a new chapter in US trade relations has begun, one built on trust, shared growth, and sustained economic ambition, Garg added.
Al-Manzlawi said the new initiatives are in line with President Trump’s new tariff policies which aim to open new markets for American exports. “For Egypt, however, it will open its market for US-made vehicles, but in return Egypt is seeking to have an American industrial city in the Suez Canal Zone,” said Al-Manzlawi, indicating that “this is a win-win relationship.”
Hossam Heiba, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), said the authority is prioritising Golden Licences for American companies in the industrial, healthcare, logistics, tourism and IT sectors. “We are preparing new incentive packages, particularly in automotive, green hydrogen, and waste management,” Heiba told Bloomberg.
Omar Mohanna, chairman of the Egyptian-American Business Council, said while the new initiatives will increase US exports to the Egyptian market, Egypt also aims to boost exports to the US by 10 per cent this year, reaching $2.47 billion.
In 2025, 50 US companies expressed interest in investing in Egypt in renewable energy, tech and advanced manufacturing, Mohanna said, revealing that some companies had already taken concrete steps while others are still negotiating. He said Egypt’s strategic location and economic reforms make it increasingly attractive for US firms looking for reliable international growth markets.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 29 May, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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