*Closing session to feature the Prime Minister, Minister of Investment, and the President of Finland
Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh:
- -The Egyptian government prioritizes strengthening investment partnerships with countries supporting sustainable development
- -Egypt–Finland economic relations are witnessing an advanced stage of cooperation based on mutual interests
- -Cooperation with Finland represents a key opportunity for technology transfer and capacity building in priority sectors
- -Eng. Mohamed El-Gouski: The forum marks a new phase in deepening Egypt–Finland economic partnership and opens broad prospects for joint investment
- -Mr. Jarno Syrjälä: Egypt–Finland relations represent an advanced model of partnerships based on innovation and sustainability, with Egypt serving as a promising platform for regional expansion
In line with Egypt's commitment to strengthening economic cooperation and expanding investment prospects between Egypt and Finland, the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade has launched the Egyptian–Finnish Business Forum. The event brings together senior officials and business community representatives from both sides, alongside 20 leading Finnish companies, reflecting the state's direction toward supporting international partnerships and enhancing the investment climate.
For his part, Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, stated that Egypt–Finland economic relations are experiencing an advanced stage of cooperation based on shared interests and a long-term development vision. He emphasized that this progress underscores the importance of bilateral relations as a key pillar supporting Egypt's policies of economic openness and investment attraction.
The Minister noted that the Egyptian–Finnish Business Forum serves as an effective mechanism to translate this convergence into practical partnerships and joint investment projects. It also reflects both sides' commitment to strengthening direct dialogue between governments and the business community, thereby opening new horizons for economic and trade cooperation and deepening partnership ties between the two countries.
He affirmed that the Egyptian government places high priority on enhancing investment partnerships with countries that support sustainable development. He highlighted ongoing efforts to create a more competitive business environment through economic policy reforms, procedural simplification, and improving the efficiency of the investment ecosystem. These efforts aim to attract more foreign direct investment, boost Egyptian exports, and enhance the productive capacity of the national economy.
He added that cooperation with Finland represents an important opportunity to promote technology transfer and capacity building in priority sectors, particularly manufacturing, telecommunications, healthcare, renewable energy, and engineering industries, noting that these fields constitute key pillars for future cooperation between the two countries.
Eng. Mohamed El-Gouski, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), emphasized that Egypt–Finland economic relations are witnessing accelerated growth, reflecting a shared vision based on innovation, sustainability, and strengthening industrial partnerships. He noted that the forum serves as an important platform for deepening investment and trade cooperation and opening new prospects for high value-added joint projects in promising sectors.
He explained that Egypt continues to strengthen its position as a regional investment hub, supported by advanced infrastructure, comprehensive economic and legislative reforms, and a modern digital system aimed at facilitating procedures for investors. He stressed that cooperation between the two sides carries a complementary nature, combining Finland's expertise in technology and innovation with Egypt's industrial capabilities and strategic location, thereby opening wide opportunities for collaboration in clean energy, digital transformation, engineering industries, and smart logistics.
He also reaffirmed GAFI's commitment to providing full support to Finnish investors to ensure the success and expansion of their investments in the Egyptian market, as well as enhancing their ability to expand into regional and international markets.
For his part, Mr. Jarno Syrjälä, Under-Secretary of State for International Trade at the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Egypt–Finland relations have evolved beyond traditional trade exchange into an advanced model of strategic partnerships based on innovation and sustainability. He noted that Finnish companies view the Egyptian market as a promising platform for regional growth and expansion into Africa and the Middle East, given Egypt's strategic geographic location and serious economic reforms.
Syrjälä added that the coming phase requires intensified joint efforts to maximize the benefits of available opportunities, particularly in green transformation and advanced technology sectors. He reaffirmed Finland's commitment to supporting its companies in establishing long-term partnerships with their Egyptian counterparts, contributing to knowledge transfer, capacity building, and sustainable development, while creating real added value for both economies.
The forum, which runs until the end of Tuesday, includes specialized sectoral sessions aimed at fostering alignment and integration between the Egyptian and Finnish private sectors, in the presence of representatives from various government entities. The final session will feature remarks by Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, and will conclude with a speech by Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly.
