Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid has stressed the importance of promoting financial, investment and export literacy, particularly among young people.
Farid made the remarks during an opening bell ceremony at the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) on Sunday to mark World Investor Week, organised by the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).
He emphasised the need to encourage young people to participate in economic activity as key drivers of development, highlighting the importance of combining awareness-raising efforts with regulatory reform and the use of technology.
The minister praised the EGX’s efforts to promote financial literacy, noting that regulatory amendments introduced under the Financial Regulatory Authority’s rules had created wider opportunities for people under the age of 21 to participate in the capital market.
He stressed the importance of protecting new investors from harmful practices and strengthening co-operation among the EGX, the Financial Regulatory Authority and universities to develop human capital and equip young people with the knowledge needed to make informed investment decisions.
On exports, Farid highlighted the importance of familiarising young people with the international trade agreements signed by Egypt.
He said raising awareness of trade agreements with the European Union, Arab countries, Latin American and Caribbean nations, and Türkiye could help Egyptian companies expand into foreign markets and broaden the country’s exporter base. He also called for closer co-operation with universities to familiarise students with employment opportunities at exporting companies.
The minister further highlighted the role of technology and artificial intelligence in boosting merchandise and services exports, noting that Egypt’s non-oil exports reached $48 billion by the end of 2025.
Farid also underscored the potential of trade technology initiatives, including the TradeTech Sandbox, to encourage young people to develop innovative solutions that facilitate access to international markets.
