Egypt 'platform' for int'l cooperation amid regional, global uncertainty: Al-Mashat

CAIRO - 19 June 2025: Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat said that Egypt continues to position itself as a platform for international cooperation and investment, even amid global and regional headwinds. 

 

“This report is being released at a time of rising uncertainty,  even more than when it was drafted,” Al-Mashat said during her speech at the launch of the UNCTAD World Investment Report 2025 in Cairo. 

 

“Yet, despite this challenging backdrop, there are silver linings, particularly in Africa, and in Egypt’s case, projects such as Ras El-Hekma reflect both direct investment and debt-swaps, which the report examines in detail,” she added.

 

She noted that the report also echoes recent global calls to mobilize more financing for the private sector; a theme aligned with Egypt’s national priorities and recent efforts to encourage private-sector engagement in development.

 

Referring to Egypt’s recent hosting of the Development Finance to Foster Private Sector-Led Growth & Jobs conference, Al-Mashat said the country serves as an example of how multilateral development partners can work together to support investment and development agendas.

 

She also touched on broader issues raised in the report, including developments in East Asia’s green transition and the importance of international experience-sharing through South–South and triangular cooperation. She emphasized the importance of including all countries in global transformations, especially in areas such as digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence.

 

“The digital divide is no longer just about access to infrastructure, it now includes AI,” she said. “Without inclusive approaches, we risk leaving countries behind.”

 

Al-Mashat concluded by underscoring Egypt’s role as a consistent host of international events focused on investment and development. “We began this week with strong messages from global institutions on concessional finance and private-sector investment in Egypt, and we’re ending it with another important global partner launching a major report from Cairo.”