Helwan:Egyptian Ministers of Planning and Economic Development and of Investment and Foreign Trade engaged with 150 university students to discuss labor market issues and the role of young people in shaping the future. The meeting, held at the Leadership Preparation Center in Helwan, was part of the preparatory sessions for the Egypt Forum.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the open discussion featured Minister Ahmed Rostom, who emphasized the importance of overcoming challenges with optimism and determination. He stressed the need for perseverance, knowledge, and optimism to achieve personal and professional goals. Minister Rostom shared his own experiences as a university student, highlighting ambition and continuous learning.

Students inquired about potential business ventures feasible with limited capital. Rostom advised that project choices should reflect individual abilities and highlighted opportunities arising from advancements in IT, computing, and communications. He suggested identifying workplace issues and developing simple solutions using AI and IT tools as a viable business strategy. He cited Microsoft as a success story starting from an idea to becoming a global giant.

The ministers also discussed government interest in cloud computing, noting its prominence in strategic discussions. They mentioned Egypt's recent establishment of its first private-sector data center with Egyptian-European investment. Rostom pointed out the critical need for sustainable energy supplies to support the expansion of data centers and highlighted President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's directive to increase renewable energy's share in the national energy mix to 42-45% by 2030.

The meeting concluded with advice from the ministers, encouraging students to leverage available opportunities and plan their career paths effectively, while addressing the skills needed for success in rapidly changing economic and technological landscapes.