Al-Mashat delivered several key messages to the private
sector and investors, underscoring that growth and employment-supportive
reforms and policies are continuous and irreversible. She asserted that the
positive economic indicators confirm that 2026 will witness a "different
leap" for the Egyptian economy, built on current achievements and the
government's commitment to implementing reforms.
The Ministry is working with the Ministry of Finance to
prepare the 2026/2027–2029/2030 medium-term Socio-Economic Development Plan and
Budgetary Framework. This plan will be linked to programs and performance to
ensure spending efficiency and connect financial allocations with achieved
results.
Al-Mashat emphasized that concessional development financing
from development partners is increasingly available to the private sector amid
global financial constraints. Concessional funding for the private sector since
2020 has exceeded $15 billion. This includes $5 billion secured through the
national "NWFI " program platform, which provided funding to
major private companies like Infinity Power, AMEA Power, ACWA Power, and
Scatec.
She stressed that macroeconomic stability is the foundation
for the Egyptian economy's launch. The government is working to cement this
stability through fiscal and monetary policies, financial discipline, and
governance of public investments.
Since 2023, the Ministry has mobilized approximately $9.5
billion in concessional financing from international partners to support the
state budget. These funds contribute to extending debt maturity, reducing
burdens, and diversifying funding sources to support economic reform. This
financing was tied to over 150 economic, structural, sectoral, and clear
development policy reforms.
The Minister noted that the Ministry adhered to the
investment spending ceiling set at EGP 1 trillion for the last fiscal year
(2024/2025). Preliminary indicators show that actual investments totaled about EGP
922 billion (92% of the target). This discipline helps control public finances,
reduce debt burdens, and make way for the private sector to increase its share
of total investments to 63% in the current fiscal year.
Al-Mashat concluded that the Egyptian economy has moved from
the stage of challenge management to one of entrenching stability and expanding
economic opportunities while empowering the private sector. She highlighted
ongoing labor market reforms to boost employment and decent work, as well as
efforts to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship through the adoption of a
unified definition for startups to ensure they benefit from government
incentives.
The upcoming period is expected to see more capital investments in both startups and major companies from international institutions, as well as increased financing through European investment guarantees totaling €1.8 billion and guarantees available from the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). The Minister stressed that Egypt has become a platform for international institutions to empower the private sector.