Heiba emphasized that this meeting, the first of its kind with the association, represents a crucial step in bolstering communication between the government and investors, which is vital for enhancing the business climate and increasing private sector participation.
The GAFI CEO stated that the authority is focused on
building investor confidence and aims to significantly boost the contribution
of private investments in industrial activities. The targets include raising
the private sector's industrial contribution to Egypt’s GDP from the current 14-15%
to 30-32%, and increasing Egyptian exports to reach $145 billion by 2030.
Heiba stressed the importance of meeting the needs of
current investors, noting they are key influencers in attracting new ones, and
affirmed GAFI’s commitment to facilitating procedures and removing obstacles.
A key focus of the meeting was the launch of the Economic
Entities Platform, which Heiba described as a pivotal step toward unifying the
digital licensing authority under one entity. He asserted that clarity,
transparency, and coordination among government bodies have become a fixed
approach to supporting investment, and called for the meeting to be held
periodically.
Dr. Samir Aref, Chairman of the Investors Association,
welcomed the platform's launch, calling it a fundamental demand that will
centralize digital dealings and reduce the "silo mentality" among
government agencies, thereby enhancing the business environment.
During the session, association members raised various challenges related to services, facilities, supporting industrial expansions, and improving the quality of utilities in the city. GAFI committed to coordinating with the relevant ministries, including Electricity, Housing, and the Social Insurance Authority, whose representatives attended the meeting, to ensure a swift response to investor demands and improve service quality.