Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib held a meeting with representatives of global law firm DLA Piper in Washington, D.C., followed by a roundtable discussion with a number of the firm's partners and leading international investors currently operating in, or seeking to expand into, Egypt. The meetings aimed to present Egypt's ongoing investment climate reforms and promote the diverse opportunities available across key sectors. At the outset, El-Khatib stressed that collaboration with major international law firms such as DLA Piper represents a strategic step toward building investor confidence, noting that the Egyptian government is committed to creating a competitive, transparent, and predictable business environment. This includes simplifying procedures, removing bureaucratic obstacles, and enhancing the institutional and legislative framework in line with international best practices. The minister highlighted that Egypt is accelerating comprehensive reforms in monetary, fiscal, and trade policies, built on the principles of clarity, consistency, and transparency. He explained that monetary policy has undergone a major shift toward inflation targeting, supported by a flexible exchange rate regime and structural reforms designed to restore confidence and strengthen macroeconomic stability — results already reflected in improved external indicators and rising foreign currency inflows. On fiscal reform, El-Khatib noted that the government has implemented over 40 measures as part of its tax reform programme, resulting in a 37% increase in tax revenues without introducing any new taxes. He added that more than 100,000 new companies have been registered, reflecting both a broader tax base and progress toward a fairer, more sustainable taxation model. In parallel, the government is working to reduce non-tax financial burdens on investors through a comprehensive review of all fees and obligations. Turning to trade facilitation, the minister announced that Egypt has reduced customs clearance times from 16 days to 5.8 days by implementing 29 coordinated measures with the Ministry of Finance — including eliminating official holidays at ports. The target, he said, is to reduce clearance time to two days by year-end through continuous, seven-day operations. He added that the government aims to cut trade costs by 90% by streamlining procedures and removing non-tariff barriers. At the same time, Egypt is pursuing a flexible, export-oriented trade policy that promotes exports rather than restricting imports, creating a more balanced and attractive environment for foreign direct investment (FDI). El-Khatib also underscored the central role of digital transformation in Egypt's investment reforms. He highlighted the launch of a temporary licensing system covering 460 services, a first step toward a unified digital platform that will link to the Economic Entities Portal. This integration will allow investors to establish companies, obtain licenses, and complete procedures in one place, significantly reducing time, cost, and bureaucracy. On foreign investment, the minister said Egypt is implementing a new national FDI strategy based on a detailed analysis of promising sectors, with the goal of removing barriers at the root and offering clearer, more efficient incentives. He added that Egypt seeks to strengthen its position in global supply chains by leveraging its strategic location, competitive costs, and skilled workforce, supported by major infrastructure projects — including 20 new cities and expanded transport and energy networks. El-Khatib also pointed to Egypt's renewable energy potential, emphasising ongoing efforts to attract private investment in solar and wind projects to establish the country as a regional clean energy hub. For their part, representatives of DLA Piper expressed their interest in supporting the development of Egypt's investment environment and offering legal and advisory services to help global investors expand their presence in the Egyptian and regional markets.
