Mashat: Egypt Committed to Sustainable, Private-Led Economic Growth

At the opening of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meetings in China, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, held a high-level meeting with WEF President and CEO Børge Brende to discuss global economic shifts, regional instability, and Egypt’s ongoing reform efforts. The meeting was attended by Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Eng. Hassan El-Khatib.

Participating as a co-chair of this year’s WEF meetings, Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized Egypt’s commitment to economic transformation driven by the private sector and reinforced by international partnerships.

She underscored the evolving collaboration between Egypt and the WEF, which she described as “central to supporting structural reforms, enhancing economic resilience, and confronting global challenges.” With the Forum serving as the world’s largest gathering of private sector leaders and investors, Egypt is positioning itself to fully leverage this platform to support national development priorities.

Al-Mashat pointed to the flexibility and strength of the Egyptian economy in navigating successive global and regional shocks. She highlighted the government’s three-year reform program, which focuses on macroeconomic stability, attracting foreign direct investment, boosting industrial development, and strengthening human capital.

A key highlight was Egypt’s preparation of a national economic narrative that integrates multiple strategic frameworks—including Egypt Vision 2030, the government’s current program (2024/25–2026/27), the National Structural Reforms Programme, and the Integrated National Financing Strategy. The aim: to build a competitive, investment-friendly economy with inclusive, sustainable growth.

Dr. Al-Mashat also presented Brende with a report titled “Development Finance to Foster Private Sector-Led Growth and Jobs”, which documents over $15.6 billion in development finance mobilized since 2020 to empower the private sector. She reaffirmed Egypt’s determination to expand access to financing tools that enable the private sector to drive development.

For his part, WEF President Brende praised Egypt’s ongoing economic reforms and strategic direction, applauding the strength of the bilateral relationship and the government’s dedication to macroeconomic stability.

The meeting follows Brende’s 2024 visit to Cairo, during which he met with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, reinforcing the strategic nature of the Egypt-WEF partnership. Dr. Al-Mashat currently serves as co-chair of the WEF’s MICEE (Mobilizing Investment for Clean Energy in Emerging Economies) and holds memberships in multiple WEF initiatives focused on economic resilience and inclusive growth.

The discussions concluded with both sides reaffirming the importance of collaboration to address today’s most pressing economic and geopolitical challenges and to shape a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable global economy.