In implementation of the directives of Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, to deepen the local and global role of the private sector in promoting investment, Eng. Mohamed El-Gawsaky, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI CEO), met with Mr. Todd Wilcox, CEO of HSBC Egypt, and Mr. Nadim Habib, Head of Institutional Banking at HSBC, to discuss avenues for cooperation in promoting investment opportunities in Egypt.
Both sides agreed on the importance of introducing HSBC’s client base to the latest legislative and procedural developments in Egypt’s investment environment, leveraging HSBC’s vast global network of 42 million customers across 62 countries and territories. This comes particularly in light of HSBC Egypt’s strategy to focus on global trade and corporate banking, in alignment with the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade’s plan to increase export-oriented investments.
Moreover, the two parties discussed developing a joint promotion plan for investment opportunities with specific targets and timelines to ensure that a positive image of the Egyptian economy reaches the bank’s clients worldwide.
Eng. Mohamed El-Gawsaky emphasized the importance of leveraging the capabilities and global reach of international banking institutions to promote Egypt’s economic reform efforts and to develop tailored communication messages suitable for each market in which these institutions operate.
In addition, GAFI CEO added that the Egyptian economy has demonstrated resilience and flexibility over recent years despite global and regional challenges, supported by sectoral diversification and massive infrastructure spending exceeding $550 billion over the past 10 years. He also highlighted trade agreements that have facilitated the access of Egyptian goods and services to markets in 70 countries, comprising 3.6 billion consumers and accounting for 60% of global GDP.
For his part, Mr. Todd Wilcox noted that many of the bank’s major global investor clients are interested in learning more about recent developments in the Egyptian economy, particularly from China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He noted that the remarkable development of Egypt’s infrastructure, especially its road networks and ports, has strengthened the country’s position in global trade, positioning it as a central hub within continental and regional value chains.
Dr. Dalia El-Hawary, GAFI Deputy CEO, indicated that the Egyptian government, in cooperation with the World Bank, has identified 13 priority economic sectors to attract investment under the National Strategy for Foreign Direct Investment in Egypt (2025–2030). She invited HSBC to introduce its clients to these sectors, which enjoy competitive advantages and supportive government policies.
Ms. Menna Moenes, Chinese Investment Promotion Representative at GAFI, affirmed that the Egyptian government is targeting the attraction of Chinese investments in renewable energy and automotive sectors. She invited HSBC to inform its Chinese investor clients about the incentives offered to investors in general—and to Chinese investors in particular—including the establishment of a dedicated unit for Chinese investors in GAFI and allowing Chinese companies to use the Chinese yuan in financial and investment transactions in Egypt.
