Cairo: The first session of the Egyptian-French Business Forum took place, featuring Mr. Hossam Heiba, Chairman of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, Mr. Pascal Fort, Head of the Economic Section at the French Embassy in Cairo, Ms. Sandrine Javet, French Trade Advisor and General Manager of L’Or©al, Mr. Emad El-Sonbaty, Chairman of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Egypt, and Mr. Philippe Delier, Vice President of Alstom.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Mr. Hossam Heiba expressed his appreciation for the resilience of the Egyptian economy in the face of global challenges, noting that international crises have directly impacted all global economies, and the Egyptian state has dealt with these negative effects with flexibility and efficiency. Heiba praised the deep economic reforms initiated by the state in recent years, confirming that these reforms aim to position Egypt as a regional investment hub within 7 to 10 years.
The Chairman of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones explained that Egypt’s Vision 2030 serves as a roadmap for financial and institutional reforms. He highlighted that the tax system has been developed, and new incentives have been launched to attract investors, expressing Egypt’s desire to expand international partnerships in technology and capacity building.
For her part, Ms. Sandrine Javet expressed her pride in the strategic partnership between France and Egypt in the field of investment, emphasizing that Egypt is the cornerstone for investment in the Middle East and North Africa. Javet asserted that long-term investment reflects the confidence of French companies in the Egyptian economy, noting that L’Or©al serves as a clear example of this successful collaboration.
In turn, Mr. Emad El-Sonbaty, Chairman of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Egypt, stated that the chamber plays a pivotal role in supporting bilateral economic relations. He noted that the chamber is connected to a network comprising 130 chambers in 95 countries, providing extensive international connectivity opportunities. El-Sonbaty also emphasized the importance of the chamber’s sectoral committees in supporting several vital sectors such as transport, telecommunications, and health.
El-Sonbaty confirmed the chamber’s commitment to enhancing the concept of economic integration between Egypt and France, noting that the discussion extends beyond attracting French investments to Egypt, but also includes supporting Egyptian investors in France.