Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Ahmed Rostom, held talks on Friday with Basel Rahmy, chief executive of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), to outline an integrated roadmap aimed at boosting entrepreneurship and removing barriers facing startups.
The discussions, held as part of the government’s broader push to empower innovation, underscored the need for a coordinated national approach to support emerging businesses, according to a joint statement issued Friday.
Rostom stressed that closer alignment among relevant state entities is critical to sustaining economic growth and generating employment opportunities amid prevailing economic challenges. He described entrepreneurship as a key engine of expansion and job creation, highlighting the government’s focus on fostering a business-friendly environment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
This includes streamlining access to finance, enhancing incentives, and promoting innovation to help transform viable ideas into scalable businesses that strengthen the national economy.
He also emphasised the central role of MSMEs in driving economic stability through job creation and innovation, calling for continued support to help the sector navigate challenges and contribute to sustainable development.
Rostom added that particular attention is being given to energy and food security as essential pillars of economic resilience and public welfare, noting that current policies aim to mitigate pressures while reinforcing the long-term growth capacity of SMEs.
For his part, Rahmy reaffirmed MSMEDA’s commitment to deepening co-operation with the Planning Ministry to create a more enabling ecosystem for entrepreneurs and SME owners, as well as individuals seeking to launch new ventures.
He also welcomed closer collaboration to support startups and venture capital initiatives through the National Investment Bank and its investment arm NI Capital, with the aim of strengthening Egypt’s innovation landscape, attracting fresh investment, and positioning the country as a regional hub for entrepreneurship.
