Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid participated in an executive roundtable organised by Visa in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt. The move is part of the country’s efforts to enhance economic competitiveness and attract greater domestic and foreign investment.
The roundtable brought together senior government officials, business leaders, and representatives of leading financial institutions and global companies to discuss investment, digital transformation and private sector growth.
Farid said the Egyptian economy has demonstrated considerable resilience in recent years despite successive global challenges and economic uncertainties.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing comprehensive economic and institutional reforms aimed at improving market efficiency, boosting the competitiveness of the national economy and attracting high-quality investments.
The minister added that the government is working closely with relevant authorities to streamline procedures related to company establishment and business expansion, reducing costs and processing times while improving the overall investor experience.
Farid highlighted digital transformation as a cornerstone of Egypt’s investment strategy, noting that efforts are underway to electronically integrate government entities, expand data-sharing and digital verification systems. He said that his ministry has established an economic entities platform linking approximately 92 government agencies. The platform is expected to provide investors with a more efficient and transparent one-stop shop for obtaining approvals and services.
He also pointed to ongoing efforts to strengthen mechanisms for addressing investor grievances and resolving investment disputes through enhanced co-ordination among government bodies, ensuring faster responses to investors’ concerns and the continuous improvement of the business climate.
Farid revealed that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has expressed interest in participating in a planned investment fund targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), helping provide the financing needed to support their growth and expansion.
The minister also stressed the importance of promoting financial and investment literacy and broadening participation in investment activities, particularly among young people.
For his part, Tarek Mahmoud, Visa’s Regional President for Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa (CEMEA), said Egypt’s reform agenda, focused on improving the investment climate, boosting trade and enabling private sector-led growth, continues to strengthen the country’s position as one of the region’s leading markets.
“Digital payments and secure financial infrastructure play a critical role in supporting this progress by promoting transparency, facilitating trade and enhancing overall competitiveness,” Mahmoud said.
He added that Visa is proud to support the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade’s efforts through expanding digital payment acceptance, empowering SMEs and contributing to sustainable, investment-led growth in Egypt.
