Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Meets Swiss Ambassador in Cairo to Discuss Strengthening Economic Cooperation and Exploring Future Investment Opportunities
El-Khatib: The Upcoming Egyptian–Swiss Economic Forum at the End of the Month Represents a High-Level Platform for Direct Dialogue Between Governments and the Business Community
Engineer Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, met with Ambassador Andreas Baum, Ambassador of Switzerland to Cairo, and his accompanying delegation to discuss ways to enhance joint trade and investment cooperation. The meeting also reviewed developments in the business climate and ongoing economic reforms, in addition to preparations for the Egyptian–Swiss Economic Forum scheduled to be held in Cairo at the end of the month.
The meeting was attended by Eng. Mohamed El-Gousqi, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI); Ms. Lamiaa Mokhtar, Assistant Minister of Investment; Dr. Abdel Aziz El-Sherif, Head of the Egyptian Commercial Service; and Ms. Naglaa Fathy, Swiss Desk Officer at GAFI.
The Minister stated that the discussions included a comprehensive review of current developments in monetary, fiscal, and trade policies aimed at supporting macroeconomic stability, improving the investment climate, and strengthening business confidence—positively impacting foreign direct investment inflows and increasing external trade volumes.
El-Khatib explained that the Egyptian government is implementing an integrated structural reform program that includes updating legislative and regulatory frameworks, upgrading infrastructure, and accelerating digital transformation. He emphasized that these reforms are based on clear measurement standards and defined performance indicators to ensure a level playing field across sectors and enhance the Egyptian economy’s readiness for sustainable growth.
He highlighted that digital transformation represents a central pillar of these reforms, noting that Egypt stands out as a distinguished investment hub thanks to its strategic location, market potential, and ongoing economic reform agenda.
The Minister further noted that the meeting reviewed the outcomes of cooperation with Swiss companies operating in the Egyptian market, particularly their focus on knowledge transfer, industrial localization, and strengthening local value addition. He underscored the state’s objective to deepen partnership with the private sector and create a supportive environment for expansion and production, especially in high value-added industrial and service sectors.
El-Khatib pointed out that the current phase reflects a clear direction toward improving state asset management and enhancing the role of the private sector through the application of sound governance principles and broader partnership opportunities with investors. This approach aims to optimize resource utilization and improve market efficiency, while ensuring that reforms are implemented gradually to safeguard economic stability.
The Minister affirmed that the Egyptian–Swiss Economic Forum, scheduled for the end of the month, will serve as a high-level platform for direct dialogue between governments and the business community. The forum aims to discuss investment opportunities, review economic policies, and organize sectoral sessions covering industry, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and engineering—helping align policies with investor needs and translate dialogue into tangible, executable projects.
For his part, Ambassador Andreas Baum reviewed areas of interest for Swiss companies in the Egyptian market, affirming that Egypt represents a promising regional hub for investment and expansion, particularly in light of ongoing economic reforms and improvements in business environment indicators. He highlighted Swiss companies’ keenness to expand their investments and strengthen existing partnerships with the Egyptian private sector.
The Swiss Ambassador expressed his country’s appreciation for the efforts undertaken by the Egyptian government to support investment and improve the business climate, noting that the meeting reflected alignment between both sides regarding the importance of enhancing economic and trade cooperation and building upon existing partnerships in a manner that serves mutual interests and supports economic growth in both countries.
