By Mohamed Attia
Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Samih El-Hefny, met with Mark Davis, the newly appointed Executive Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), to discuss enhancing co-operation in the aviation sector.
El-Hefny congratulated Davis on his new role and praised the fruitful partnership between Egypt and the EBRD over the years, emphasising the strong ties that have fostered shared development goals.
During the meeting, the minister outlined Egypt’s vision to boost private sector participation in the country’s airports. He revealed that the government has commissioned a global consultancy to conduct a comprehensive strategic study of targeted airports to evaluate various aspects and maximize potential outcomes.
El-Hefny reiterated Egypt’s commitment to structural reform efforts to create an attractive investment climate. He highlighted the ministry’s dedication to implementing a government offering programme aimed at achieving positive returns to support the national economy.
Mark Davis commended the strong partnership with Egypt, noting that the EBRD’s investments over the past year reflect confidence in Egypt’s economy and the private sector’s potential. He expressed eagerness to deepen collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation in various fields.
Davis outlined the EBRD’s focus on fostering sustainable development across the region, with an emphasis on financing infrastructure, industry, and energy projects, particularly those that prioritize environmental preservation and socio-economic balance. He also highlighted the bank’s advisory services aimed at supporting institutional and economic reforms.
He added that the EBRD is actively working in Egypt on several fronts, including financing projects, developing skills, expanding economic opportunities, and accelerating the transition to a green economy.
This involves promoting renewable energy use, improving infrastructure sustainability, and supporting efforts to combat climate change. The bank also aims to enhance competitiveness by supporting private sector growth and improving governance and the business environment.
The meeting, attended by Amani Metwally, Permanent Undersecretary at the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and senior EBRD officials, explored avenues for further collaboration in civil aviation.
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