Egypt’s GAFI, Nebraska explore US investment in health, agriculture and tourism

Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) hosted a delegation from the US State of Nebraska on Thursday to discuss investment opportunities in health, tourism, agriculture, and land reclamation.

The delegation was led by Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen and included representatives from AGI Agricultural Equipment and the University of Nebraska Medical Centre.

Evnen praised Egypt’s recent infrastructure developments, highlighting energy, water, transport links, and equipped land as key resources for investors. He said Nebraska aims to support Egypt’s agricultural growth by sharing expertise in irrigation systems and water desalination.

The discussions also focused on collaboration between the University of Nebraska Medical Centre and the Egyptian government to advance medical technologies and promote medical tourism. Evnen noted Egypt’s potential in the sector, citing natural resources, skilled personnel, and proximity to major tourist markets in the Gulf and Europe.

GAFI CEO Hossam Heba welcomed the US proposals, highlighting Egypt’s investment incentives for companies that localise advanced technologies in their operations. He said Nebraska’s focus sectors — health, tourism, agriculture, and land reclamation — align with Egypt’s development priorities, which aim to create jobs, raise living standards, attract foreign currency, and transfer technology.

Assistant Minister for Investment and Foreign Trade Ghada Nour said the government seeks to expand the presence of US companies in Egypt’s increasingly stable investment climate and encouraged American firms to increase investment to help the country achieve its target of $125 billion in annual exports by 2030.

Tarek Hashem, Investor Relations Director at the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), invited the delegation to tour the 455-square-kilometre zone, which hosts four industrial areas and six ports along a major global shipping route that handles 12 per cent of world trade.