H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Meets with the French Ambassador and the Head of Bilateral Affairs at the French Treasury

  Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation: Enhancing efforts with development partners to meet the state's priorities in implementing structural reforms stimulating the private sector.

 H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat: Deepening cooperation to localize industry and opening opportunities for the private sector to attract domestic and foreign investments.

    H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat affirms the importance of activating the Joint Industrial Committee between the two countries in response to the state's priorities in industrial localization and export enhancement.

  Egyptian-French partnerships have witnessed significant development since 2019, reflecting strong ties between the two countries.

  The French side expresses interest in the steps taken by the state to localize the automotive industry in Egypt.

    Head of Bilateral Affairs at the French Treasury: Convening the first meeting of the Joint Industrial Committee to enhance industrial capabilities and increase investments.
 

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, held a meeting with Mr. Éric Chevallier, the French Ambassador to Cairo, in the presence of Ms. Magali Cesana, Head of the Bilateral Affairs and International Business Development Department at the General Treasury of the French Ministry of Economy, Finance and the Recovery , and Mr. Arthur Bauer, Head of Direct Financing Office at the French Treasury, at the Ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. The meeting discussed strengthening Egyptian-French relations and monitoring ongoing projects to drive economic and social development.

 

At the outset of the meeting, H.E. Minister Al-Mashat welcomed the French Ambassador and congratulated him on presenting his credentials to the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Al-Mashat also welcomed Ms. Cesana on her visit to Egypt, emphasizing Egypt's appreciation for its relations with the French side, especially after significant developments over recent years in bilateral relations, reciprocal visits of the leaders of both countries, and under the umbrella of the partnership with the European Union and the Team Europe initiative launched in 2020.

 

H.E. Al-Mashat emphasized that Egyptian-French cooperation has witnessed a strong momentum since 2019, reflecting the strength of ties between the two countries and the commitment to implementing partnerships that enhance development efforts. Moreover, the Minister mentioned the signing of a memorandum of understanding for a strategic partnership in socio-economic development between Egypt and the French Development Agency during the period 2019-2023, outlining key areas of cooperation aligned with Egypt's Vision 2030. Additionally, eight memoranda of understanding were signed in various development sectors during President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Egypt in 2019, followed by bilateral agreements during H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's visit to Paris in 2020.

 

The French Ambassador in Cairo congratulated H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat on assuming the portfolio of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, reaffirming France's appreciation for its partnership with Egypt.

 

Ms. Magali Cesana expressed France's interest in enhancing cooperation with Egypt in light of the agreement signed between the governments two years ago to implement a number of strategic projects in priority areas such as transport, energy, water treatment, and agricultural food, in addition to collaboration on the construction of the sixth line of the Great Cairo Metro and the efforts with the French company, Alstom, to localize railway industry in Egypt.

 

Ms. Cesana also affirmed full support from France Egypt in its relations with international financial institutions to address the economic repercussions of the Russo-Ukrainian war and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the keenness to convey Egypt's aspirations and efforts to develop the automotive industry to French investors and the private sector, thereby opening avenues for joint cooperation.

 

She further expressed her expectation for the first meeting of the Joint Industrial Committee between the two countries to enhance cooperation in priority areas, develop industrial production capabilities, increase investment partnerships, and focus on priority sectors.

 

In this regard, H.E. Minister Al-Mashat stressed the importance of the role that this committee can play, especially at a time when the government is seeking to increase efforts to localize industry, focus on productive sectors, and open opportunities for the private sector to attract domestic and foreign investments.

 

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat, in her capacity as Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, also discussed ongoing development cooperation projects, particularly the Wholesale Market project in Ismailia, the establishment of the Regional Control Center in Alexandria, and the construction of the sewage station in East Alexandria. H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat highlighted the government's efforts in managing and enhancing the efficiency of investment spending, in accordance with the Prime Minister's decision to set a cap on public investments worth one trillion pounds, ensuring stability in the overall economy. H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also affirmed coordination with international institutions and multilateral and bilateral development partners to implement programs supporting economic and structural reforms that open prospects for private investment and enhance overall economic stability.