Egypt is working to maximise the benefits of foreign direct investment (FDI) through boosting links between multinational companies and local manufacturers, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid said.
Farid made the remarks on Wednesday during a plenary session themed “Investing in Skills, Talent and Entrepreneurship” at the World Investment Forum 2026 in Doha, Qatar.
He stressed that the value of foreign investment should not be measured solely by the volume of capital inflows, but also by its contribution to domestic production, job creation and export opportunities.
Farid said, “Enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to join global supply chains is essential to boosting local industry and expanding exports”.
The minister highlighted the role of the “Egypt Takes Off Through Exports” initiative and the Foreign Trade Information Platform in helping businesses identify export opportunities and access new markets.
The platform provides information on target markets, trade procedures, technical standards, rules of origin and trade agreements.
Farid also stressed the growing importance of trade technology and artificial intelligence in connecting producers with international buyers and improving access to market information.
He called for testing innovative digital solutions through the Trade Technology Regulatory Sandbox to support the development of modern trade services.
The minister stressed that adaptability, perseverance and continuous learning are essential skills in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
He said these skills would become even more important as artificial intelligence continued to reshape jobs and labour markets worldwide.
