The seventh edition of the Builders of Egypt Forum will kick off on Monday to showcase Egyptian construction companies' role in forging development strategies in Africa and the Arab world. Under the rubric of Development and Funding Opportunities in Africa and the Arab Region in the Shadow of Global Uncertainties, the event is organised by the African Federation of Construction Contractors Associations (AFCCA) in cooperation with the Egyptian African Arab Company for Development (EGAAD) and Exlnt Communications, an affiliate of United Media Services (UMS). Under the patronage of Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, the Forum will take place in JW Marriott Hotel in New Cairo and is designed to expand discussions to include development projects in many African and Arab countries in the fields of industry, tourism, health, and education. The Forum, which is the country's largest of its kind in the construction sector, will witness this year broader participation of Egyptian, Arab, and African ministers in the sectors of housing, investment, and service sectors. A number of foreign ambassadors and heads of relevant federations and business organisations will also take part in this year's edition. This is in addition to more than 500 executive officials representing mega contracting, real estate and energy companies as well as financial and banking institutions and investment funds. The companies that taking part in Egypt will explore first of its kind investment opportunities that will harness their market enlargement plans in return. For Full Agenda In addition, the Forum will witness the signing of a cooperation protocol between the African Federation for Construction Contractors' Association (AFCCA) and Nile Company for Press and Publishing. The protocol aims to launch the first specialised media platform in construction sector in Africa and the Arab region. During the Forum, the Arab and African delegations will discuss means of integrating their economies to better carry out their development strategies in light of global financial and economic developments and subsequent fiscal measures. The Forum aims to discuss the challenges that face the construction and development sector and introduce new mechanisms to avoid the impacts of the global crisis and ensure the achievement of the hoped-for growth in this sector. The delegations will review comprehensive development plans in Africa and the Arab region, present a chart for mega projects, and discuss the resumption of comprehensive development programmes and construction projects amid the global economic disruptions. Representatives of international financial institutions and heads of major banking entities will also attend the Forum to discuss joint funding mechanisms. They are set to present their outlook on sustainable development and the agenda of new projects in Africa given the presence of promising investment opportunities. The Forum will also discuss Egypt's green building and sustainable development plans to achieve the country's 2030 strategy. This comes in light of Egypt's hosting of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh next November. Moreover, the Forum seeks this year to present Egypt's pioneering experiences in the process of development linked to infrastructure, housing, energy, transportation and other mega projects. Held since 2014, Builders of Egypt Forum is the largest and most prestigious event in the contracting and construction sector in Egypt. The annual event seeks to improve investment atmosphere and develop mechanisms for implementing state's national projects in this regard. It comes to emphasise on Egyptian state's tireless efforts to develop its relations with Arab and African surroundings and maximise integration among the African countries.
