The event, titled "From Policy to Practice: Deepening Trade Integration between Egypt and Africa," brought together government officials, private sector representatives, and economic experts to discuss Egypt’s roadmap for expanding exports across the continent.
Minister El-Khatib told attendees that Cairo has spent years
"laying the groundwork" for a more competitive economy. He emphasized
that the government has adopted transparent policies to bolster investor
confidence through a stable institutional framework.
The Minister pointed to significant macroeconomic
improvements:
Inflation: Dropped to approximately 11.6% as of June 2025
following a period of monetary tightening.
Reserves: Foreign exchange reserves reached $50 billion.
Assets: Net foreign assets shifted from a deficit to a
surplus exceeding $10 billion.
On the fiscal front, El-Khatib noted a 35% increase in tax
revenue—achieved through improved collection efficiency rather than new
taxes—aimed at easing the financial burden on investors.
In a move to open markets, El-Khatib announced that customs
clearance times and costs have already been slashed by 65%.
"Our plan is to reach a 90% reduction in the coming
period, bringing the average release time down to just two days," he said.
He added that the removal of several non-tariff barriers has already saved the
Egyptian economy over $1.5 billion this year.
To further streamline operations, the ministry is launching
a unified digital platform for business. The portal will integrate company
formation, licensing, payments, and customs obligations into a single system to
ensure transparency and speed.
Mohamed El-Gawsaky, Assistant Minister for Planning and
Digital Transformation, detailed plans to leverage the African Continental Free
Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the COMESA bloc.
El-Gawsaky outlined a targeted strategy to increase trade
with specific African nations based on competitive advantages. To support this,
the ministry is working on:
Logistics: Establishing new land and sea links to regional
hubs.
Finance: Coordinating with the Central Bank to expand the
presence of Egyptian banks across Africa to ease transactions.
Incentives: Utilizing export subsidy programs and permanent
trade exhibitions to encourage Egyptian firms to expand south.
The forum concluded with discussions on green exports and the logistical solutions required to meet the standards of emerging African markets, with private sector leaders stressing the need for sustainable financing to fuel this continental expansion.