Cairo: Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty praised the role played by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in supporting economic development and structural reform efforts in Egypt. Abdelatty made the remarks during a meeting on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, with EBRD Vice President Mark Bowman to discuss ways of strengthening the existing partnership between Egypt and the bank and supporting cooperation in a number of priority sectors.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the minister expressed appreciation for the strategic partnership with the EBRD, particularly given Egypt's status as the bank's largest country of operations in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region, which reflects the depth of cooperation and mutual trust between the two sides.
He stressed Egypt's keenness to further strengthen cooperation and increase the volume of the bank's operations and projects in the Egyptian market, with a focus on empowering the Egyptian private sector, particularly in energy, renewable energy, infrastructure, and financial-sector support, in a way that enhances access for Egyptian products to European markets.
Abdelatty also expressed Egypt's anticipation of hosting the EBRD's Annual Meeting in May 2027 in Sharm El Sheikh, stressing that hosting the prestigious international event reflects the bank's appreciation of the strength and fundamentals of the Egyptian economy and its confidence in its ability to sustain its path of growth and development.
The foreign minister stressed the need for the EBRD to adopt a more flexible approach and respond more swiftly to the economic challenges facing the region in light of current regional developments and their repercussions for energy and food security, supply chains, and international trade flows. He highlighted the importance of continuing to support energy projects under the national platform for green projects, 'NWFE,' which would help mobilize more concessional financing, support the transition to a green economy, implement new and renewable energy projects, and enhance energy security.
For his part, the EBRD representative praised the notable improvement in Egypt's investment climate and the promising opportunities offered by the Egyptian market for the bank's investments, particularly in renewable energy, electricity grids, fertilizers, and agriculture and food industries. He said such investments would contribute to increasing productivity and competitiveness, expressing the bank's interest in expanding its activities in these sectors and capitalizing on the available investment opportunities.