Cairo:Minister of Planning and Economic Development and Egypt's Governor at the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, Ahmed Rostom, held discussions with the CEO of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, on November 8, 2026, to explore ways to strengthen bilateral partnerships and support the private sector.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the discussions were part of intensive consultations aimed at shaping the new joint strategy between Egypt and the IsDB Group for the years 2027 to 2031. The meeting marked the conclusion of a visit by an IsDB Group delegation to Cairo and followed a series of specialized meetings with sectoral ministries to address financing needs and priorities.
The meeting was attended by key figures including Tamer Mostafa, Assistant Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs and International Cooperation, and Nour El-Din Mabrouk, IsDB Group Regional Office Director in Cairo, alongside senior officials from both parties. Rostom emphasized Egypt's commitment to its development partnership with the IsDB Group, acknowledging the institution's significant role in providing innovative and sustainable financing for strategic sectors such as energy and food security, in alignment with Egypt Vision 2030.
Rostom highlighted the importance of leveraging the partnership to bolster the private sector, enhance the export capabilities of Egyptian companies, and expand their access to regional and international markets, thereby fostering Arab and African trade integration. He also underscored the need for continued technical training and institutional capacity-building programs, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and expanding women's participation in international trade to enhance economic growth and competitiveness.
Aama reiterated the corporation's dedication to enhancing its development partnership with Egypt, which has seen significant growth since 2008, including the signing of five framework agreements with total approved financing exceeding $26.4 billion. He noted progress in plans to expand cooperation with Egypt's private sector through new credit lines provided via local banks to facilitate trade and stimulate production activities.
The meeting concluded with a review of the main pillars of the new 2027-2031 country partnership strategy and the outcomes of consultations held by the IsDB Group delegation in Cairo with various national entities. Both sides agreed on the importance of directing future financing and programs towards economic sectors that can deliver a direct, positive development impact on citizens' quality of life, while enhancing the Egyptian economy's capacity for sustained growth and addressing global challenges.