Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s economy is showing clear signs of recovery and growing resilience despite regional tensions and a challenging global environment, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania Al Mashat said during a meeting with CNN International host Fareed Zakaria.
Al Mashat met with the American journalist during his visit to Egypt, where discussions focused on recent economic developments and the country’s outlook for 2025 amid geopolitical instability in the Middle East and the rise of protectionist policies worldwide.
According to the minister, Egypt’s improving performance reflects a series of government-led reforms launched in 2024 aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability, strengthening the business environment, and enhancing the role of the private sector as a key engine of growth. She said these efforts have begun to yield tangible results, with economic indicators steadily improving since the start of the 2024–2025 fiscal year.
Al Mashat highlighted that Egypt recorded a growth rate of 5.3 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, describing it as a strong signal of recovery after a period marked by inflationary pressures, foreign currency shortages, and global economic uncertainty.
She stressed that the most important aspect of the current recovery lies not only in headline growth figures, but in the changing structure of economic activity. Growth is increasingly being driven by higher-productivity sectors, particularly non-oil manufacturing and information and communications technology, rather than traditional or extractive industries. This shift, she said, reflects a broader transformation toward a more diversified and sustainable growth model.
The minister noted that the government continues to pursue structural reforms designed to maintain this momentum, boost competitiveness, and enhance the economy’s ability to withstand external shocks. These reforms include improving the investment climate, reducing barriers to private-sector participation, and deepening institutional and regulatory changes across key sectors.
The discussion also touched on Egypt’s ongoing engagement with the International Monetary Fund. Al Mashat said the government is working to complete the fifth and sixth reviews of its IMF-supported economic reform program, which aims to reinforce fiscal discipline, strengthen monetary policy credibility, and advance structural reforms.
She pointed to international assessments and reports indicating that Egypt’s recovery has continued despite exceptional regional tensions, including disruptions affecting trade routes and energy markets. In this context, she said indicators related to the Suez Canal are beginning to show improvement as conditions gradually ease, underscoring the importance of regional stability to global trade and Egypt’s revenues.
Al Mashat also referred to recent diplomatic efforts led by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, including the signing of a peace agreement in Sharm El Sheikh, describing it as a positive development that supports stability and economic confidence in the region.
Concluding the meeting, the minister reaffirmed her optimism about Egypt’s economic outlook, saying the government remains committed to pressing ahead with economic and structural reforms. She emphasized the importance of close coordination among state institutions to ensure consistent policymaking, attract investment, and support long-term, inclusive growth.
Analysts say Egypt’s ability to sustain its recovery will depend on continued reform implementation, external financing conditions, and the evolution of regional security dynamics, but recent indicators suggest the economy is moving toward a more balanced and resilient path.
