The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) views Egypt's reform programme as a key step toward potential membership, OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said Wednesday, according to a statement from Egypt's planning ministry. Speaking during a meeting with Egypt's Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat in Paris, Cormann reaffirmed the OECD's openness to expanding its membership and highlighted Egypt's Country Programme as a key platform for aligning with OECD standards. Cormann described the country's engagement as a significant step toward joining the group, the statement added. He said that Egypt is well-positioned to become the first Arab and African country to join the OECD, noting that progress under the extended Country Programme demonstrates growing policy alignment. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, where Egypt's cooperation with the organisation was cited as a model for evidence-based policymaking and institutional reform in emerging economies. Minister Al-Mashat welcomed the remarks, saying Egypt remains committed to deepening cooperation with the OECD and embedding international best practices into its reform agenda. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
