Cairo: Egypt has signed an agreement to extend its Country Program with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) by six months, until June 2026, the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation said on Sunday. Planning minister Rania Al-Mashat stated that the extension aims to complete a number of activities scheduled for the first half of the year, emphasizing the program's importance at the national level.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the partnership supports more efficient public policymaking aligned with the state's priorities and political commitment to improving the structure of the economy. Mashat added that the program contributes to improving Egypt's rankings in international indicators, helping attract foreign investment and foster a more competitive business environment. This aligns with the country's 'National Narrative for Inclusive Development.' The initiative also enhances the resilience of the Egyptian economy and its ability to withstand domestic and external shocks. The program's pillars align with national targets related to economic growth, digital transformation, and good governance.
Mashat highlighted the strategic cooperation with the OECD, which produced a comprehensive and objective assessment of Egypt's National Narrative for Inclusive Development. This demonstrated a strong alignment between the narrative's objectives, the program's outputs, and the OECD's technical committees. This alignment supports Egypt's structural reform agenda, including clearer macroeconomic frameworks, a stronger focus on structural reforms, an expanded role for the private sector, and tradable sectors, along with the introduction of measurable, monitorable targets. The program has delivered several key outputs, notably an Economic Review of Egypt that assessed macroeconomic conditions and fiscal policies and offered practical recommendations to improve the investment climate, support the green transition, and enhance labor market efficiency.
Other outputs include reviews of artificial intelligence policies, green growth policies, and entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises, strengthening the sector's role in economic development. Mashat added that work is nearing completion on additional reports, including a business dynamism review providing detailed firm-level data on innovation and job creation, a productivity review focusing on the industrial sector and integration into global value chains, as well as reviews of higher education, innovation, and women's economic empowerment policies.
Mashat emphasized the ministry's commitment to following up on program outcomes and incorporating recommendations into Egypt's structural reform program, while coordinating with other ministries and agencies to ensure effective implementation. These efforts support Egypt's drive toward sustainable economic development, stronger institutional capacity, and greater cross-sector integration, in line with Vision 2030.