Egypt, World Bank advance national FDI strategy
Egypt and the World Bank are advancing work on a national foreign direct investment (FDI) strategy, with officials moving to finalise an implementation roadmap designed to attract investment, boost exports, and strengthen the country’s integration into global value chains.
The strategy—expected to launch after receiving final government approval—will identify priority sectors for investment promotion and align policy reforms with Egypt’s broader economic development objectives.
Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid said that coordination among government agencies will be essential to determine priority sectors and design policies to attract higher levels of foreign investment.
“The current phase requires strong coordination among government agencies to identify priority sectors for promotion and improve policies that attract foreign direct investment,” Farid said during a meeting attended by ministers responsible for industry, finance, planning, labour, and tourism, as well as World Bank officials.
The World Bank presented a preliminary framework for the strategy, including a proposed list of 13 sectors under consideration for investment promotion. The officials said consultations are continuing before the final list is approved.
According to the World Bank, the proposed sectors were selected using criteria including investment attractiveness, competitive advantages, export potential, economic resilience, and developmental impact.
The strategy is also based on an assessment of global investment trends, value chains, and trade flows, as well as consultations with government agencies, private-sector representatives, and international stakeholders.
Farid said technical discussions would continue in the coming weeks to finalise sector priorities and determine the reforms, incentives, and promotional mechanisms required to support implementation.
Industry Minister Khaled Hashem said the strategy should complement Egypt’s industrial development plans and support efforts to raise industrial exports to $100 billion by 2030.
Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk called for stronger coordination among government institutions and better economic data quality to support investment policymaking and measure FDI performance.
Egypt has been seeking to attract greater foreign investment through regulatory reforms and incentive programmes as it works to expand private-sector participation, increase exports, and support long-term economic growth.
The strategy is being developed in accordance with the Supreme Council for Investment’s requirements and aims to chart a path for boosting foreign investment inflows and strengthening Egypt’s overall competitiveness.
The World Bank and Egyptian authorities are expected to continue technical consultations before finalising the strategy and moving to the implementation phase.
Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English