Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid met on Wednesday French Ambassador to Egypt Eric Chevallier and executives of 22 leading French companies operating in Egypt to discuss expansion plans, new investment opportunities and measures to improve the business environment.
During the meeting, Minister Farid reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining continuous dialogue with the business community, simplifying licensing and approval procedures, removing investment obstacles and strengthening exports.
He described existing foreign investors as Egypt’s strongest ambassadors and stressed that the ministry is monitoring feeder industries to transform them into investment opportunities that increase local content.
He outlined an institutional and legislative reform programme covering company establishment, capital increases, shareholder agreements and convertible bonds, alongside reforms to export support schemes, digital transformation through integrated government platforms and APIs, investment and supplier databases, and accounting standards tailored to SMEs.
France remains the largest European investor in Egypt outside the oil and gas sector, with cumulative investments of $8.5 billion over the past two decades, a direct investment balance of $1.56 billion as of June 2025, more than 200 French companies operating in Egypt and over 900 French investments in Egyptian companies.
French Ambassador, for his part, welcomed the swift organisation of the meeting, describing it as evidence of the government’s commitment to engaging the private sector.
He said French companies regard Egypt as a strategic regional hub for production and exports and pledged continued co-operation with the Egyptian authorities.Company representatives presented expansion plans and sector-specific proposals.
Orange Egypt highlighted its new spectrum licence, network expansion and 5G rollout.
Crédit Agricole Egypt discussed consumer finance expansion, while TotalEnergies requested streamlined fuel station licensing.
EDF Power Solutions expressed interest in renewable energy and storage projects.
Air Liquide, Saint-Gobain, Alstom Egypt and RATP Dev called for stronger supplier databases and greater localisation.
CMA CGM proposed customs and transit reforms to improve logistics efficiency, Valeo requested greater flexibility in technology export support programmes, Bel Company highlighted 90% localisation and exports to 19 countries, while Bureau Veritas praised Egypt’s rising export competitiveness.
The minister concluded by confirming that joint working groups would prioritise the rapid implementation of practical solutions while advancing legislative and procedural reforms to reinforce Egypt’s position as a regional hub for investment, production and exports.
