Cairo: Minister of Communications and Information Technology Raafat Hendy emphasized that entrepreneurship is pivotal to economic growth, job creation, and enhanced competitiveness. He highlighted the role of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector as a facilitator for various economic sectors. According to State Information Service Egypt, Hendy stated that supporting technology-based entrepreneurship not only aids the ICT sector's growth but also enhances other sectors' efficiency, fosters new business models, improves service quality, and enables access to broader markets. It allows the state to leverage startup innovations to address developmental challenges and offer more efficient solutions. Hendy's remarks were part of a recorded speech at the Egyptian Entrepreneurship Sector Annual Report Summit, 'SDR 2026,' held in El Gouna, Red Sea Governorate. The summit, organized by Entlaq Foundation from September 10 to 12, 2026, operated under the theme "Data × Innovation: Reimagining Egypt' s Entrepreneurship Landscape." It was supported by the Prime Minister's Office, several ministries, and the Financial Regulatory Authority, attracting over 500 investors, entrepreneurs, and experts. Hendy commended Entlaq's efforts in organizing the summit, which facilitates a data-driven dialogue among entrepreneurship ecosystem stakeholders to translate findings into policies, partnerships, and practical measures for growing Egyptian companies. He remarked that this year's summit continues a journey that began with the first report's launch in 2023, evolving through subsequent editions and culminating in the 2025 report, which proposed reform and investment pathways extending through 2030. The reports have identified key challenges, such as procedural multiplicity, financing and market access difficulties, and the need for a regulatory environment accommodating emerging business models. Hendy underscored the importance of this year's summit in building on accumulated experience, assessing progress, identi fying remaining gaps, and moving from diagnosis to actionable, monitored priorities. Hendy explained that the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is aiding the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade's vision to streamline the investor journey, including company establishment, obtaining approvals, and accessing operational services. Efforts include providing a digital ecosystem for government services targeting the business community, with initiatives extending beyond digitization to re-engineering and integrating procedures for a simplified business experience. He described the ministry's initiatives to develop skills, foster innovation through Egypt Digital Innovation Hubs across governorates, connect startups with investors and markets, and empower them to use artificial intelligence technologies, data, and computing capabilities to turn ideas into scalable solutions. Hendy emphasized the ministry's goal of fostering sustainable companies that develop Egyptian products and intellectua l property, address real-world needs, and expand from Egypt to regional and international markets. He reiterated the ministry's support for the business sector, expressing hope that the summit would yield clearly defined priorities, responsibilities, practical partnerships, and implementation monitoring mechanisms. He noted that such outcomes would help translate diagnostic findings into improved decisions, services, and genuine growth and investment opportunities.