Washington: Egypt's Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Rania el Mashat, who also serves as Egypt's Governor at the World Bank, met with Makhtar Diop, the Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to explore avenues for strengthening collaboration between the Egyptian government and the IFC. The discussions aimed at empowering the private sector and broadening access to innovative financing solutions for both domestic and international companies.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the meeting took place alongside the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington. Minister Mashat highlighted the meeting's focus on recent developments in regional and global economies, notably following the historic peace agreement signed by Egypt, the US, Qatar, and Turkey in Sharm El-Sheikh, which also halted the conflict in Gaza. She noted that this agreement is anticipated to contribute positively to regional stability and economic growth in Egypt.

The dialogue also included discussions on Egypt's initiatives to spearhead the reconstruction efforts in Gaza in collaboration with the international community. Minister Mashat underscored the crucial role of the IFC in furnishing concessional financing and investments to local and foreign private sector enterprises in Egypt.

Furthermore, she mentioned ongoing initiatives aimed at involving the private sector in the management of government-owned airports. This initiative is part of a previously signed agreement between the Egyptian government and the IFC, designed to attract private investment for airport modernization and expansion without additional financial strain on the national budget.