OECD Praises Egypt’s Transparency, Reaffirms Support for Reform Agenda

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) commended Egypt’s transparency in presenting its economic policies and reform efforts, reaffirming its commitment to supporting the country’s path toward sustainable and inclusive growth.

The remarks came during a high-level meeting in Washington between Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Mohamed Farid Saleh, and OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, as both sides explored ways to deepen cooperation and align Egypt’s policies with global economic standards.

During the meeting, the minister affirmed that the Egyptian economy has demonstrated a remarkable degree of resilience, supported by a package of structural reforms, most notably the adoption of a more flexible exchange rate and the restructuring of the energy system. These measures, he noted, are designed to strengthen fiscal sustainability and enhance the country’s appeal to investors.

Farid also outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to digitize public services, particularly post-establishment procedures such as capital increases and general assembly processes. The reforms aim to reduce processing times from months to just days, bringing Egypt closer to international best practices.

A key pillar of the reform agenda involves integrating small and medium-sized enterprises into the formal economy. The minister revealed plans to introduce simplified accounting standards tailored to SMEs, reducing compliance burdens while encouraging formalization.

In parallel, authorities are working to upgrade the foreign direct investment data system through enhanced digital connectivity between different government agencies, ensuring data accuracy and reflecting the true size of investment flows.

For his part, Mathias Cormann praised what he described as the seriousness of Egypt’s reform program and the transparency with which economic files are being presented. He reiterated the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s readiness to provide technical support and policy guidance.

The discussions also covered avenues for deeper technical cooperation aimed at aligning Egypt’s economic framework with evolving international standards, while maintaining a balance between safeguarding state interests and preserving competitive investment incentives.

The meeting underscores Egypt’s ongoing push to strengthen ties with global institutions as it navigates economic reform and seeks to position itself as a more attractive destination for international investment.