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Planning Minister prioritizes economic growth, boosts state ownership policy

Businessmen Team news 11 February 2026 08:28 PM
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Planning Minister prioritizes economic growth, boosts state ownership policy

Dr. Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, proceeded to the ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital following his swearing-in before President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. He assumed his duties and began overseeing the ministry’s operations and those of its affiliated agencies.

Dr. Rostom emphasized his commitment to teamwork and continuous coordination with various ministries and state institutions, in line with the objectives of the upcoming phase.

He expressed his pleasure at taking charge of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, affirming that he would exert every effort, alongside the ministry’s team, to implement the directives of the President to the new government. These directives include developing a plan for each ministry, outlining targets, performance indicators, implementation requirements, necessary funding, and monitoring mechanisms, while promoting citizenship, equality, and non-discrimination.

Rostom also stressed his focus on improving the economic situation, continuing the implementation of state ownership policies through concrete steps, and enhancing private sector participation in the economy.

Dr. Rostom’s professional career spans approximately 25 years, during which he designed structural reforms and led major development programs and initiatives in emerging economies. His experience combines international work at the World Bank with direct government involvement in formulating and implementing economic policies, development programs, and reform initiatives in Egypt.

He served as Senior Finance and Financial Sector Specialist at the World Bank, leading strategic teams in East Africa and South Asia, and managing financial portfolios and projects valued at billions of dollars.

Among his key achievements, Rostom led the COMESA Infrastructure Development and Finance Project with investments totaling $400 million. He also established the first Green Investment Fund and the Renewable Energy Fund (M300) in East Africa, with investments exceeding $500 million. Additionally, he designed specialized financing solutions for development projects, including green finance, Islamic finance, and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

At the national level, Rostom served as Assistant Minister of Investment from 2007 to 2009, playing a central role in implementing the two-phase Financial Sector Reform Program. He also contributed significantly to the establishment of the Financial Regulatory Authority and headed the International Cooperation and Liaison Department at the Central Bank of Egypt’s Anti-Money Laundering Unit.

In collaboration with the World Bank, he oversaw the design of policies for economic empowerment and exit strategies.

Rostom earned a PhD in Economics from George Washington University in 2015, a Master’s degree from the University of York in 2008, and a Bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University. His career has been distinguished by receiving 11 international awards from the World Bank, recognizing his excellence in designing development programs with sustainable economic impact.