Ambassador of Egypt to Japan, Ragy El-Etreby, and more than 40 representatives from Japanese businesses and financial institutions attended the meeting.
Minister Al-Mashat highlighted the evolution of
Egyptian-Japanese relations into a comprehensive development partnership,
moving beyond traditional bilateral cooperation.
She presented the "Egyptian Economic Development
Narrative" (launched September 2025), a framework integrating Vision 2030,
the government program, and sectoral strategies. This narrative aims to
transition Egypt into a new, productivity-driven economic model based on
export-oriented sectors, technology, innovation, and structural reforms for
sustainable growth.
Al-Mashat affirmed that since 2014, Egypt has made
unprecedented investments in infrastructure—including ports, logistics,
sustainable transport networks, modernized electricity grids, and water
management—creating a production-capable environment conducive to attracting
investment.
Addressing challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and capital
flight, the Minister identified March 2024 as a critical turning point. This
led to the adoption of disciplined fiscal and monetary policies, a clear ceiling
on public investments, and genuine reforms that have initiated a strong
economic recovery.
The National Economic Narrative focuses on export-oriented
sectors and the real economy. It includes comprehensive, time-bound reforms in
key areas: industry, trade, FDI attraction, labor market development, local
manufacturing, improving the investment climate, and accelerating the green
transition.
Key economic highlights and opportunities presented included
economic complexity as Egypt ranks high on the Economic Complexity Index among
145 countries, reflecting the capacity of Egyptian industries to integrate
technology and enhance production quality. Export support programs are now
linked to this complexity to promote higher value-added goods.
The Minister invited the Japanese private sector to invest
in the new economic model, prioritizing productive sectors, technology, and
tourism. Egypt also ranks high in the Environmental Complexity Index, supported
by renewable energy projects since 2014. Japanese companies have opportunities
to invest in wind and solar power projects through the concessional financing
platform "NWFE" (Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy). The Egyptian
economy is one of the most diversified in the region, with competitive
advantages in labor, geographic location, and a large domestic market, making
it attractive for export-oriented industries. GDP growth, which remained at 2%
during global shocks, has risen to 4.4% for the fiscal year, and 5% for the
last quarter. Manufacturing, ICT, and tourism are the largest contributors to
GDP.
Al-Mashat noted that private investments now account for
approximately 60% of total investments, a direct result of placing a ceiling on
public investments to create space for the private sector. Over the past five
years, Egypt has mobilized more than $16 billion in concessional financing for
the private sector. Any company looking to enter the Egyptian market should
consider three factors: actual growth rates, ease of access to finance, and
clarity of the economic reform agenda and government policies. Government
efforts include launching the State-Owned Enterprises Unit, the role of the
Sovereign Fund of Egypt, and the Government Offerings Unit, all governed by a
clear structure to maximize returns on state assets. She also mentioned
cooperation with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to offer 11
airports to the private sector.
Minister Al-Mashat concluded by stressing the importance of disseminating Egypt's economic story through Japanese financial institutions and the business sector to showcase the country's transformation model, structural reforms, and accelerating growth trajectory, which reflects the Egyptian economy's capacity to recover and expand despite global challenges.