The session, titled "Change Makers Council: Leaders Influencing Public-Private Partnerships," included Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih, Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan, Dangote Group Founder Aliko Dangote, Dow Chairman and CEO Jim Fitterling, and other government and private sector representatives.
Al-Mashat asserted that alignment between the government and
the private sector is the cornerstone for achieving economic resilience. She
argued that governments cannot tackle alone increasing global challenges such
as supply chain disruptions, climate change, and energy crises, and require
active private sector participation within an environment of trust, clarity,
and transparency.
The Minister noted that a recent FII index highlighted two
main issues: the cost of living and job opportunities. She stated the solution
lies in public-private sector harmonization, which provides the flexibility
needed to face economic shocks and ensure sustainable growth.
She clarified that the government's role should focus on regulation
and empowerment by setting clear rules, policies, and ensuring predictability.
The minister affirmed that Egypt has made tangible progress in strengthening
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in sectors including infrastructure,
healthcare, and energy. While acknowledging successes, she noted that continued
dialogue is necessary to address challenges and expand participation.
She stressed that effective alignment rests on several core
pillars, including clarity in investment regulations, clear definition of state
priorities, and flexibility in regulatory policies to allow for innovation.
Al-Mashat cited the Egypt-Saudi Arabia electrical
interconnection project as a successful example of regional cooperation and a
model for integration between the two countries' institutions on major
strategic projects.
Regarding the Egyptian economy, Al-Mashat said that growth,
job creation, and resilience are key axes of the "National Narrative for
Economic Development," a program that guides structural reforms and
investment policies toward sustainable development. The country's medium-term
development plan until 2030 is the executive program for this narrative.
She argued that without prior infrastructure investments—in
logistics, ports, and electricity grids—Egypt could not have hosted leading
global renewable energy companies such as ACWA Power.
Al-Mashat presented the Egyptian experience as a model for
balancing public investment control with enhancing the private sector's role.
She noted that Egypt adopted a dual approach: setting a ceiling for public
investment while increasing private sector participation to about 57 percent of
total investments, directing capital toward productive sectors.
She concluded that future fields like green hydrogen, smart grids, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-supported infrastructure demand massive capital and high technical capabilities. This makes PPPs the most appropriate framework for pooling resources, ensuring financial viability, and achieving sustainability. Al-Mashat emphasized the importance of strong institutions and long-term plans to ensure policy continuity, which builds private sector confidence and reduces uncertainty.