GAFI Hosts Workshop with FAO to Boost Egyptian Companies’ Participation in International Tenders
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Dr. Dalia El-Hawary: Major gains and promising opportunities lie ahead for Egypt’s private sector to tap into FAO tenders worth over half a billion dollars annually
Cairo, [August 20, 2025] — The General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), organized a workshop entitled “Get Ready for Global Competition: How to Qualify and Win FAO Tenders.” The event aimed to equip Egyptian companies with the knowledge and tools needed to participate more effectively in international procurement opportunities, particularly those offered by the FAO, in order to boost Egyptian exports.
The workshop drew strong participation from Egyptian businesses across agriculture, irrigation, aquaculture, food industries, and technical services, alongside government officials serving on the national committee established by the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade to encourage local companies’ engagement in FAO tenders.
Opening the event, Dr. Dalia El-Hawary, GAFI’s Deputy CEO and Chair of the National Committee on FAO Tenders, stressed the importance of building the capacity of Egyptian firms to qualify for and win international bids. She noted that the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade (MIFT) is prioritizing partnerships with UN agencies as a powerful avenue to expand export markets and diversify trading partners.
“FAO procurement is worth more than half a billion dollars each year, covering sectors such as agriculture, food, fisheries, printing, and animal feed, where Egyptian companies already have the expertise and proven track record to compete at the regional and global levels”, said Dr. El-Hawary. Many of FAO tenders also serve neighboring countries where Egyptian products enjoy strong demand, such as the Sudan, Palestine, Libya, and Yemen.”
El-Hawary also drew attention to the government’s broader efforts to support Egypt’s private sector. These include MIFT's role in training and equipping private companies to compete in the international tenders through technical support and training workshops covering registration procedures, evaluation criteria, sustainability requirements, and compliance standards. She further pointed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ contribution in bolstering Egypt’s role in UN procurement through diplomatic channels and by facilitating direct engagement with international organizations. In addition, she noted the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation’s launch of Hafiz—a national integrated platform providing financial and technical support and consultancy services to connect Egyptian companies of all sizes with funding opportunities, thereby enhancing their competitiveness at home and abroad.
She further announced plans to expand specialized training and develop a cadre of national experts to support Egyptian companies in bidding for international tenders through a “Train the Trainers” program in collaboration with FAO.
Dr. Mohamed Yacoub, Assistant FAO Representative in Egypt, reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to boosting the share of Egyptian companies in UN procurement, aligning with Egypt Vision 2030. “Our goal is to create more opportunities for Egyptian businesses and strengthen the role of the private sector as a driver of growth and global market access,” he said.
FAO’s procurement team also presented a detailed overview of its global purchasing volume and priorities, explaining the registration process on the UN Global Marketplace (UNGM), outlining qualification technical and financial requirements, and sharing success stories of Egyptian companies that have already won FAO supply contracts.
The workshop is part of a series of initiatives led by GAFI to implement the recommendations of the National Committee on FAO Tenders and deliver a comprehensive strategy to increase Egypt’s share of international procurement and enhance the global competitiveness of Egyptian companies.
