Cairo: Hossam Heiba, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), stated on Monday, November 10, 2025, that the State Ownership Policy Document has paved the way for broader participation by the Egyptian, Arab, and international private sector in driving economic development. He explained that the document sets out the state's gradual withdrawal from economic sectors that together account for around 85 percent of Egypt's GDP, which opens greater space for private investment, competition, and innovation.
According to State Information Service Egypt, during his remarks at the main session of the Egyptian-Gulf Investment and Trade Forum, Heiba highlighted the government's strategy to position Egypt as a regional hub in sectors where it holds strong competitive advantages, particularly energy, tourism, and industry. To advance this goal, GAFI has developed a targeted investment promotion plan that has already succeeded in attracting new Arab and foreign investments in priority sectors.
Heiba also reviewed the series of legislative and procedural reforms implemented to improve the business environment since the Investment Law of 2017. He emphasized the government's shift toward complete digitalization, where company establishment procedures and key investor services are now provided electronically, making processes faster and more efficient.
Furthermore, GAFI now includes a dedicated Investor Support Department and a Dispute Settlement Center to ensure that investor challenges are resolved promptly and with minimal administrative complexity. Heiba stressed that investors today work not with individuals, but with a fully integrated institutional system designed to provide seamless assistance both online and in-person.
In conclusion, Heiba affirmed that successful Arab investors in Egypt are among the strongest ambassadors for the Egyptian economy. He noted that expansions by existing investors receive the same level of facilitation and incentives awarded to new investments, reflecting Egypt's commitment to maintaining confidence and promoting sustainable long-term investment growth.