Egypt Daily News – Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, delivered a speech during the opening session of the 2025 Egypt–U.S. Policy Leaders Forum, which was attended by Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport; Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation; Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Finance; Eng. Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade; and Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
Also present were U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Herro Mustafa Garg, members of the American Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S.-Egypt Business Council. Prime Minister Madbouly began his remarks by expressing his pleasure in participating in this unique forum and extended his sincere thanks to the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt and the U.S. for organizing the important event.
He gave a special welcome to Suzanne Clark, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and John Christmann, CEO of Apache Corporation and Chairman of the U.S.-Egypt Business Council, for their leadership in bringing together top American business leaders.
Madbouly welcomed all representatives of the American business community, noting that many of their companies continue to operate successfully in the Egyptian market.
He emphasized that the forum reflects the strategic importance of economic cooperation between Egypt and the United States, built on mutual respect, shared prosperity goals, and a long record of constructive partnerships. Over decades, he said, Egypt and the U.S. have worked tirelessly to strengthen this cooperation bilaterally and in light of regional developments to advance shared strategic objectives.
Madbouly added that Egypt has repeatedly demonstrated that it is a reliable and effective partner of the United States, based on a common understanding that addressing the region’s deep-rooted challenges requires deeper cooperation between the two countries. This partnership, he noted, has become even more vital amid today’s rapidly evolving global and regional crises.
He went on to say that the forum underscores Egypt’s commitment to empowering the private sector as a cornerstone of its inclusive and sustainable economic development strategy. Egypt, he noted, has taken concrete steps to implement this vision, foremost among them the launch of the State Ownership Policy Document, which clarifies the sectors from which the state plans to reduce or fully withdraw its presence, sending a clear signal to markets and investors.
The Prime Minister added that Egypt has also expanded its use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in key sectors such as transport, renewable energy, education, and water infrastructure. This has given the private sector a leading role in developing strategic national assets. In parallel, platforms to support investors have been established, most notably the “Golden License” system, which allows investors to launch and operate projects with a single approval from the Cabinet and minimal bureaucracy.
On the business climate, Madbouly explained that Egypt has placed strong emphasis on improving the investment environment through comprehensive fiscal and monetary reforms, the digitization of public services, and the modernization of legislative and regulatory frameworks—all contributing to greater transparency, predictability, and competitiveness. The government continues to reinforce the rule of law and provide an attractive business environment that enables local and foreign investors to succeed.
Madbouly also highlighted Egypt’s multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investments over the past decade, including the expansion of road and railway networks, upgrades to ports and airports, and increased energy capacity, alongside the creation of new logistics and industrial zones.
He pointed to major projects such as the Suez Canal expansion, the construction of the New Administrative Capital, and the development of 24 new cities. These efforts, he said, lay the foundation for a future-oriented economy with a more balanced distribution of growth, economic diversification, and increased foreign investment, especially in productive sectors.
At the heart of this transformation, Madbouly stressed, is human capital development. He said Egypt is investing in its most valuable asset its people, particularly its youth, who are driving innovation, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship. The state is committed to investing in education, healthcare, and vocational training to ensure the workforce is prepared for the industries of the future.
He added that Egypt has embraced digitalization and financial inclusion as main drivers of growth and modernization. Digital technology, he explained, is reshaping industries, boosting productivity, and broadening financial access. Egypt’s Digital Strategy is steering the country toward regional leadership in digital innovation by integrating advanced technologies—such as AI, blockchain, IoT, and big data—across all economic sectors.
Dr. Madbouly noted that all these developments reflect the unprecedented transformation Egypt is undergoing under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, paving the way for a brighter future with boundless opportunities.
He highlighted that over 1,800 American companies are operating in Egypt, with cumulative U.S. investments exceeding $47 billion over the past two decades. These investments span sectors such as energy, industry, IT, financial services, and healthcare, demonstrating the strength and vibrancy of the U.S.–Egypt economic partnership. He invited forum participants to explore Egypt’s abundant investment opportunities across all productive sectors, stressing that Egypt is not only a market of over 107 million people but also a gateway to Africa, the Middle East, and beyond with access to over 1.5 billion consumers via its broad network of trade agreements.
Before concluding his speech, the Prime Minister announced two important developments directly relevant to the American business community in two key sectors: automobiles and halal certification for dairy products.
He explained that recent discussions with the U.S. side highlighted growing interest in the automotive sector, particularly regarding easing restrictions on the import of fully built U.S.-origin vehicles. In this regard, on May 11, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport issued Decision No. 112 of 2025, which abolishes the requirement to adhere to Egyptian mandatory standards listed in List No. 44 for engineering goods and products.
Egypt has officially notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of these regulatory changes, thus opening its market to U.S. vehicles without barriers.
Madbouly also announced that Egypt has permanently exempted dairy products and derivatives from the requirement to obtain halal certificates upon import, a significant step toward enhancing bilateral trade. On March 12, 2025, Egypt submitted an official notification of this exemption under the WTO’s Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement. The Ministry of Agriculture is also taking steps to diversify and increase the number of authorized halal certification bodies and is considering reducing fees for assessing product and facility compliance.
Additionally, he confirmed that Egypt and the United States have reached the final stages of concluding a mutual cooperation agreement between the two countries’ customs authorities.
In closing, Prime Minister Madbouly said that the paths Egypt is pursuing all converge toward a single goal: achieving a comprehensive economic development vision grounded in economic recovery, structural reforms, and private sector empowerment.
He ended with a direct message to the American business community:
“Our reforms are real, our markets are dynamic, and our people are ready. Let us work together to build technologies, industries, and innovations that serve both our countries’ interests. I invite you to seize every opportunity during today and tomorrow’s sessions to explore the rich investment potential in Egypt’s productive sectors.”
He reiterated his welcome and wished the participants a successful forum.
