CAIRO - 21 April 2026: Egypt is positioning the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) as a central pillar in its strategy to attract foreign investment and deepen integration into global supply chains, Planning Minister Ahmed Rostom said.
Speaking at a high-level roundtable held in cooperation with the OECD and the Suez Canal Economic Zone Authority, Rostom highlighted the zone’s strategic advantage, noting that the Suez Canal facilitates around 12 percent of global trade and 20 percent of container traffic worldwide.
He said the SCZone, which includes six ports and four industrial zones, is being developed as an integrated hub combining manufacturing, logistics, and trade, supported by a unified digital platform for investor services.
Rostom pointed to improving performance indicators, with Suez Canal activity recording growth of 8.6 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, rising to 24.2 percent in the second quarter following earlier disruptions.
The minister said the government is prioritizing the localization of production across key industrial sectors and encouraging supply chain diversification, as part of broader efforts to boost exports and attract foreign direct investment.
He added that strengthening links between international investors and Egyptian companies remains critical to enhancing productivity, facilitating technology transfer, and increasing private sector participation in global value chains.
The roundtable forms part of the Egypt–OECD Country Programme, which has been extended until June 2026 and includes 35 projects aimed at advancing economic reform, digital transformation, governance, and sustainable development.
Officials said the discussions will help shape the next phase of cooperation, focusing on improving the investment climate and reinforcing the SCZone’s role as a regional gateway connecting Africa, Europe, and Asia
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