“Egypt has prioritised strengthening the role of the private sector as a principal and indispensable partner in the journey of growth and economic development,” Al-Sisi said. He detailed a strategy involving a cap on government investments and a “well-studied plan” for the state to exit specific sectors to allow for private expansion. He cited rising growth rates, increased private investment flows, and recent credit rating upgrades as evidence of restored investor confidence. He urged attendees to utilise Egypt’s modernised infrastructure—encompassing roads, ports, and digital networks—alongside strategic hubs like the Suez Canal Economic Zone to facilitate regional and international expansion. During an interactive dialogue following his speech, Al-Sisi also touched on the geopolitical environment, stressing that regional stability is a prerequisite for economic prosperity.

After more than two decades leading manufacturing and consumer-goods operations across international markets, my outlook on Egypt’s personal-care sector remains resolutely optimistic. Success now hinges on the ability to transform local manufacturing platforms into resilient, export-driven ecosystems that are robust enough to withstand inflationary pressures, navigate supply-chain volatility, and adapt to the rapid shifts in consumer demand. As a certified ICF executive coach and an endurance athlete, I view industrial transformation as a marathon rather than a sprint. As Egypt’s manufacturing sector continues to mature, my focus remains steadfast on scaling globally competitive platforms and fostering the next generation of leadership. Mohamed R. El-Demerdash is a multinational operations executive with more than 21 years of leadership experience, widely recognized for transforming complex manufacturing platforms.

Two centuries later, the Monroe Doctrine has outgrown geography. Historically, Washington intervened in Latin America under the guise of shielding it from rival powers. History in Latin America repeats itself in a new tongue, with sharper instruments. The Monroe Doctrine is alive here too. A few dare to beat the drums of resistance, however faintly—much like countries in the Global South once did, defying the original Monroe Doctrine.

Samara Land Transportation Services Co., a subsidiary of Alturki Holding, announced on Tuesday the launch of an electric golf cart assembly manufacturing project in Saudi Arabia through a newly established joint venture with Raya Holding. The initiative comes in response to growing demand for efficient and sustainable mobility solutions across large-scale projects in Saudi Arabia. Commenting on the partnership, Bader AlShathry, Chairperson of Samara Land Transportation Services Company in Saudi Arabia, said the joint venture marks a step toward establishing a “Saudi-assembled” standard for electric mobility. Meanwhile, Mohamed El-Naggar, CEO of Raya Auto, said the joint venture builds on Raya Auto’s proven track record in Egypt’s electric mobility sector, where it has developed integrated solutions across electric golf carts, e-buses, and electric vehicles. He noted that the same comprehensive model—covering manufacturing, distribution, and after-sales services—will be applied in Saudi Arabia to ensure operational excellence and market leadership.

International celebrity star Will Smith shared a collection of photos and videos from his weekend getaway in Egypt. Smith toured the Pyramids and the Sphinx and shared his experience exploring the Great Pyramid from the inside. He posted the photos and videos on his Instagram account, captioned: “Weekend in Egypt.”Smith was received by the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mohamed Ismail Khaled. Khaled welcomed Smith and briefed him on the most important secrets and artifacts held at this historical site, reflecting the grandeur of ancient Egyptian civilization, in addition to highlighting the most significant archaeological discoveries in the country. Smith expressed great interest in these historical and archaeological facts and promised the Secretary General that he would return to Egypt again in the spring with his family.

US President Donald Trump said that Ethiopia built a dam on the Nile River funded by the US, adding that he doesn’t know why his country did so. Trump confirmed that he intervened in the Ethiopian dam crisis to help resolve it, according to AlQahera News Channel. Trump said that “the interim president of Venezuela has done a fantastic job. I currently like Venezuela, and they are working very well with us. The interim president is excellent.

New York —The annual World Economic Forum confab known as Davos has always had an optics problem. But Davos 2026 has morphed into a kind of emergency session of the world’s elite to confront two simultaneous, ultimately related threats. If the Davos crowd seemed out of touch before the pandemic, the affordability crisis that helped re-elect Trump has only sharpened the contrast between the people at Davos and everyone else. Davos is an elite gathering trying to shape a world that belongs to everyone.”In classic Davos form, Fink is stating the obvious as if it’s revelatory. “Davos has been wrong, consistently, about where the world is heading,” wrote Semafor senior business editor Liz Hoffman on Tuesday.

Liverpool FC winger Mohamed Salah is preparing to face Olympique Marseille in the seventh round of the Champions League group stage on Wednesday evening. Salah underwent medical examination at AXA training center on Tuesday morning before joining his teammates for their final training session before traveling to France. He participated in the open training session in preparation for the match, following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations. Slot discusses Salah’s returnLiverpool FC manager Arne Slot commented on Salah’s return to the team after his absence due to representing Egypt at Africa Cup of Nations. The number of chances we created against Burnley when Salah was on the pitch usually meant more goals.”“I’m happy he’s back.

The spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Adnan Abu-Hasna, condemned Israel’s raid on the agency’s headquarters in East Jerusalem, calling it “a real wake-up call for the entire international community.”He emphasized that this represents a dangerous defiance of international law. He added that the raid on the UNRWA headquarters is part of a broader context of measures taken by the Israeli authorities in recent months, aimed at undermining the agency’s work and erasing the identity of Palestinian refugees, particularly in East Jerusalem. This systematic policy targets the UN and humanitarian presence in the occupied territories, Abu-Hasna said. “This would almost completely disrupt its ability to continue providing vital services to hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees”, Abu-Hasna warned. UNRWA slams Israel’s actionsThe Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, condemned Israel’s demolition of UNRWA buildings in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem, calling it an “unprecedented challenge” and emphasizing that Israel is obligated to protect and respect the inviolability of UN premises.

Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib said the state has adopted a modern approach to managing its assets, based on comprehensive re-planning and improving efficiency of use to maximise economic returns and generate sustainable added value. During the interview, he outlined the state’s economic reform programme, which focuses on maximising the efficiency of state-owned assets, accelerating the transition to a green economy, and expanding private sector participation. He noted that the project now operates at quality and performance levels exceeding international standards, demonstrating how asset reconfiguration can unlock significant economic value. He explained that the Western Desert alone has the potential to generate around 700 gigawatts, in addition to approximately 200 gigawatts from floating solar energy. On subsidy reform, the minister said Egypt has made substantial progress in restructuring energy pricing—particularly natural gas—through the adoption of cost-reflective pricing mechanisms.

Egypt is targeting a rise in the private sector’s share of total investment to over 70% by 2030, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat said on Tuesday, following a 5.3% GDP growth rate in the first quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2025/26. The quarterly growth, which exceeded government expectations, was driven by a recovery in the industrial sector and strong performance in tourism and ICT. The government is currently implementing “governance of public investments” to limit state spending and create space for private capital. The private sector currently accounts for approximately 65% of total investments, with the state focusing on structural reforms in tradable sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and agriculture to reach the 2030 target. To ensure transparency, the government has for the first time published a National Programme for Structural Reforms with specific timelines and performance indicators.

The Egyptian Customs Authority and the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) announced that the exceptional customs exemption granted to passengers bringing mobile phones from abroad will end on Wednesday. Exemptions for mobile phones belonging to Egyptians residing abroad and tourists will remain in place for 90 days. The decision comes as part of the implementation of the governance system for mobile phones imported from abroad, which entered into force in January 2025. The system was initially accompanied by an exceptional measure granting customs exemption for one mobile phone per passenger, pending the availability of locally manufactured mobile phones not subject to customs duties. They also clarified that registering personal mobile phones at customs checkpoints upon arrival has been cancelled and is no longer required.

Egypt’s Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment, Manal Awad, held extensive talks on Tuesday with representatives of the Tahya Misr Fund to explore opportunities for expanding investment in eco-tourism across the country’s natural reserves. Discussions included a proposal to establish designated, paved routes for electric vehicles within natural reserves to facilitate movement for visitors and staff without disrupting sensitive ecosystems. Awad noted that approved eco-friendly routes have already been reviewed and identified in coordination with reserve administrations to maximise their effective use. Awad stressed the importance of conducting comprehensive studies to design entrances to natural reserves in a way that reflects each site’s environmental and geological identity, enhances visual appeal, and improves visitor services, while ensuring full compliance with environmental regulations. The ministry affirmed that it will continue to strengthen national partnerships, particularly with the Tahya Misr Fund, to support sustainable development initiatives in natural reserves—reinforcing Egypt’s position as a global eco-tourism destination and ensuring the protection of natural heritage for future generations.

Housing and Development Properties (HDP), the real estate development arm of the Housing and Development Bank, has announced the launch of its new residential project, Grand Lane, in New Cairo, with total investments estimated at approximately EGP 50 billion. Grand Lane features an integrated master plan that includes commercial zones, a social club, landscaped gardens, and a range of recreational facilities. A central green corridor, known as the Green Spine, extends through the project for approximately 1.7 kilometres, enhancing connectivity and walkability. HDP CEO Hossam Eissa added that Grand Lane is designed to create a balanced residential environment that seamlessly integrates housing, everyday services, and expansive green spaces within a unified urban framework. The launch of Grand Lane forms part of HDP’s broader strategy to expand its portfolio of residential developments across Egypt’s new urban communities.

He stressed that the project remains a top priority on the Ministry of Health and Population’s agenda. According to ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the Capital Medical City project aims to enhance the efficiency and quality of healthcare services provided by the General Authority for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes, in line with Egypt’s evolving healthcare landscape and national health strategy. The project is also designed to strengthen clinical and academic training for medical professionals, contributing to the development of highly skilled healthcare cadres. INCOME reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the partnership with the ministry and to supporting the project through expertise exchange and technical collaboration. Abdel Ghaffar underscored the importance of securing the necessary financing to ensure adherence to the project’s implementation timelines and to address any challenges that may affect progress.