The Commercial International Bank – Egypt (CIB), the country's largest private-sector bank, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Food Export Council, becoming its official banking partner until the end of 2027. The agreement underscores CIB's continued commitment to supporting Egyptian exports and accelerating the growth of the food industries sector. The signing ceremony was attended by Mahmoud Bazan, Chairperson of the Food Export Council, and Amr El-Ganainy, Executive Vice President and Executive Board Member of CIB, along with Council board members and senior CIB executives. As part of the partnership, CIB will sponsor the launch of an integrated digital platform aimed at streamlining the registration process for member companies. The platform will enable potential integration with CIB's systems, giving exporters seamless access to the bank's full suite of commercial and financial services. The initiative aims to improve both financial inclusion and operational efficiency across the sector. CIB will also participate in major local and international events organised by the Council, including trade exhibitions, commercial delegations, workshops, and seminars. This complements the Council's strategy to open new export markets for Egyptian companies—particularly in Africa, where CIB maintains an on-ground presence in Kenya, facilitating regional expansion. Commenting on the agreement, Amr El-Ganainy said: "At CIB, we believe the food industries sector is a key driver of Egypt's economic growth and place it at the heart of our strategic priorities. This partnership is designed to empower Egyptian exporters by providing a comprehensive package of financing, logistics support, advisory services, and marketing tools—helping them scale and expand internationally." He added that the partnership aligns with CIB's mission to deliver advanced digital banking solutions, promote financial inclusion, and support national efforts to increase exports and strengthen the role of the private sector in economic development. For his part, Mahmoud Bazan described the agreement as a "qualitative leap" in digitalising the export landscape and enhancing exporters' access to financing and global markets. "The Council is working in line with the state's vision of increasing Egyptian exports to $145 billion. This partnership brings us closer to that goal, particularly through improved access to financial services and international opportunities," he noted. The announcement comes amid strong momentum in Egypt's food exports, which reached approximately $6.1bn in 2024—marking a 21% increase year-on-year. Established in 1995, the Food Export Council comprises over 650 exporting companies. It plays a key role in facilitating international trade through its support for participation in global exhibitions, trade missions, training programmes, and close coordination with both public and private sector stakeholders.
