Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh:
- The communications and information technology sector is a key pillar for attracting foreign investment.
- We are committed to providing all necessary facilitation to global technology companies to expand in the Egyptian market.
- Investment zones offer an integrated and enabling environment for technology companies.
- We seek to strengthen partnerships with leading international companies to transfer expertise and build capacities.
Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, met with Mr. Naim Yazbeck, President of Microsoft Middle East and Africa (MEA), to review the company’s current projects and its future expansion plans in the Egyptian market, as well as to discuss ways to enhance investment in the information technology sector and support the state’s digital transformation strategy.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Mirna Arif, General Manager of Microsoft Middle East and Africa Growth Markets; Mr. Mohamed Qassem, General Manager of Microsoft Egypt; and Mr. Ahmed Attia, Public Sector Director at Microsoft.
The discussions addressed areas of ongoing cooperation between the government and Microsoft, particularly in capacity building and training, supporting the startup ecosystem, and fostering the growth of local companies. The meeting also highlighted the importance of expanding data centre development and enhancing the use of artificial intelligence technologies, contributing to advancing digital transformation, increasing digital services exports, and creating high-value job opportunities.
The meeting also reviewed the company’s role in delivering advanced technological solutions based on Cloud Computing and Artificial Intelligence to government entities, the banking sector, and various projects, including startups, in addition to capacity-building programs targeting youth.
During the meeting, Dr. Mohamed Farid affirmed that the Communications and Information Technology sector represents a fundamental pillar of the state’s investment orientation, noting the MIFT commitment to providing all necessary facilitation for global technology companies to inject new investments and contribute to building a competitive knowledge-based economy that enhances the ability of Egyptian service exports to access global markets.
The Minister also outlined the investment incentives offered by the state, particularly through investment zones, which provide an integrated environment that includes advanced infrastructure, streamlined procedures, and diverse incentives supporting companies’ activities in technology sectors.
For his part, Mr. Naim Yazbeck, President of Microsoft Middle East and Africa, emphasized the existence of a strategic partnership with the Egyptian government since 2001. This partnership included the signing of a comprehensive agreement with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology to provide unified technological solutions for the state’s administrative apparatus, enhancing spending efficiency and ensuring digital integration.
He noted that these solutions have contributed to supporting the infrastructure of several national projects, including the technological infrastructure of the Government District in the New Administrative Capital, the e-invoicing and e-receipt system, the comprehensive health insurance system, as well as the technological infrastructure and digital solutions at the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Yazbeck added that more than 100 national strategic projects in Egypt were financed and implemented over the past year, in addition to 84 national projects currently under implementation.
