Egypt is accelerating efforts to attract US investment and position itself as a regional hub for green energy, trade, and manufacturing, officials said at the Egypt-US Policy Leaders Forum held in Cairo on Sunday. Under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and in the presence of Prime Minister MoUstafa Madbouly, the two-day forum brought together senior Egyptian ministers, the American Chamber of Commerce, and over 60 executives representing 42 leading US firms. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, delivered a keynote address outlining Egypt's vision for private sector-led growth, sustainable development, and deeper integration with global markets. Egypt is shifting toward a productivity-driven, export-led economy built on industry, innovation, and private investment, Minister Al-Mashat said, adding that a new National Economic Development Narrative will be launched in June to chart Egypt's medium-term growth strategy. Private Sector Takes the Lead The Egyptian minister revealed that private investment has outpaced public investment for two consecutive quarters — a structural shift the government aims to sustain by improving the business environment, streamlining regulations, and fostering public-private partnerships. Investor confidence is returning, she said, citing macroeconomic reforms undertaken in March, including currency stabilisation, the elimination of the parallel FX market, and tighter fiscal discipline. Egypt is prioritising key sectors such as manufacturing, tourism, ICT, logistics, and renewable energy. Non-oil manufacturing alone recorded 18 per cent annual growth over the past three quarters, while tourism is on track for record revenues in 2025 with the Grand Egyptian Museum set to open in July. Climate Finance and Green Growth Minister Al-Mashat highlighted Egypt's ambitions to become a regional leader in green energy and climate finance, pointing to the success of the NWFE Platform, which has mobilised $4 billion in green investment for private sector-led projects in energy, water, and food over two years. Green transition is not just an environmental imperative — it's a compelling investment opportunity, she said, noting Egypt's target to generate 42 per cent of its electricity from renewables by 2030. She called on American companies to explore partnership opportunities through the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and other global financing platforms. Structural Reform and Regional Role Minister Al-Mashat stressed that Egypt's reform programme rests on three pillars: macroeconomic resilience, competitiveness and private sector empowerment, and a green, inclusive economy. The government is also advancing logistics infrastructure and trade facilitation, with ongoing port modernization and digitisation efforts improving Egypt's ranking in the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index to 54th globally in 2023. Despite challenges including lower Suez Canal revenues and regional instability, Minister Al-Mashat said Egypt's diversified economy and strong remittance flows have supported resilience and rising exports of raw, semi-finished, and final goods. Egypt is committed to transitioning from a vulnerable economic model to one rooted in stability, productivity, and sustainability, she said. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
