Dr. Mohamed Awad:
- Egypt continues to strengthen its position as one of the region's leading investment destinations.
- The country's strategic location, modern infrastructure, and large domestic market are key drivers of investment attraction.
- Egypt ranked first in Africa and second in the Arab region in FDI inflows in 2024.
- GAFI stands ready to transform the interest of Belgian companies into concrete investments and projects in the Egyptian market.
As part of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade's (MIFT) strategy to promote Egypt as an attractive investment destination, and in implementation of the directives of Dr. Mohamed Farid, MIFT Minister, to strengthen engagement with the international business community and showcase the country's investment opportunities, Dr. Mohamed Awad, Chief Executive Officer of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI CEO), participated virtually in Egypt–Belgium Business Connect 2026, held at «hub.brussels» headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, as part of the visit of the Egyptian Belgian Business Association's (EBBA) delegation to Belgium. The event was organized in coordination with the Egyptian Commercial Office in Brussels, «hub.brussels», and the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (ABLCC).
Egypt–Belgium Business Connect 2026 brought together the chairpersons, executives, and representatives of approximately 60 Belgian companies and institutions, including BESIX, Credendo-Export Credit Agency, Gadot Belgium, DSV Contract Logistics, and Logwin Air & Ocean Belgium NV, in addition to a broad range of companies operating in construction and engineering, manufacturing, energy, logistics, supply chains, technology, investment, and professional services. The event highlighted the potential of the Egyptian economy, the advantages of Egypt’s investment climate, and the investment opportunities available, while exploring prospects for expanding bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
GAFI CEO affirmed that Egypt and Belgium enjoy promising prospects for deeper economic and commercial cooperation, supported by Egypt's large domestic market, diversified production base, and strategic geographic location connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe, further reinforcing its position as a regional hub for manufacturing, logistics, and exports.
He noted that the Egyptian economy continues to consolidate its position as one of the region's leading investment destinations, driven by ongoing economic reform programs, extensive infrastructure development, and the diversity of its productive and service sectors, creating broad investment opportunities across industry, energy, logistics, agriculture, telecommunications, technology, and services.
Dr. Awad further highlighted Egypt's strong performance in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), noting that the country ranked first in Africa as a destination for FDI, according to the reports of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), while also ranking second among Arab countries in terms of FDI inflows in 2024.
He added that Egypt's unique geographic location, together with its network of ports and airports and the Suez Canal, provides investors with access to extensive markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. coupled with Egypt's wide network of free and preferential trade agreements, these advantages position the country as a regional platform for manufacturing and exports rather than merely a domestic market.
Dr. Awad emphasized that Egypt represents a reliable partner for investors amid ongoing global economic and geopolitical developments, drawing on its strategic location, expanding industrial base, extensive trade agreements, and the EU-Egypt Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which opens broader avenues for cooperation in investment, manufacturing, energy, sustainability, digital transformation, and value chains.
He also underscored GAFI's proactive approach to supporting investors at every stage of their investment journey by facilitating procedures, delivering integrated services through the One-Stop Shop, and expanding the digital transformation of investment services, thereby improving the business environment and enhancing the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy.
GAFI CEO reviewed a number of priority sectors for Egypt–Belgium cooperation, including green energy, infrastructure, logistics and ports, advanced industries, pharmaceuticals and medical industries, sustainable agriculture, water management technologies, digital services, healthcare, the circular economy, and waste management, all of which represent promising areas attracting growing interest from investors in both countries.
He noted that GAFI enables investors to identify available opportunities through Egypt's digital Investment Map, which features more than 1,300 ready-to-invest opportunities across various sectors and governorates, helping investors select the locations and activities best suited to their investment strategies.
He also reviewed the key indicators of economic relations between Egypt and Belgium, emphasizing that they provide a strong foundation for further expanding Belgian investments, increasing Egyptian exports, and strengthening cooperation in priority sectors, in a manner that serves the shared economic interests of both countries.
Dr. Mohamed Awad concluded by reaffirming GAFI's readiness to organize specialized virtual and sector-focused meetings with Belgian companies and to build on the discussions held during the Egypt–Belgium Business Connect 2026 and translate them into tangible investment partnerships and projects, thereby supporting the expansion of Belgian investments in Egypt and further strengthening the country's position as an attractive investment destination and a regional hub for business, manufacturing, and exports.
