Mohamed Awad, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), said the Egyptian economy continues to strengthen its position as one of the region’s leading investment destinations, supported by ongoing economic reform programmes, extensive infrastructure development, and the diversity of its productive and service sectors.
He said these factors offer investors broad opportunities across manufacturing, energy, logistics, agriculture, telecommunications, technology, and services.
Awad made the remarks during his virtual participation in the Business Connect Belgium-Egypt 2026 Forum, held at the headquarters of Brussels Hub in the Belgian capital. The event formed part of the Egyptian Belgian Business Association’s visit to Belgium and was organised in coordination with the Egyptian Commercial Representation Office in Brussels, Brussels Hub, and the Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (ABLCC).
The forum brought together chairpersons, executives, and representatives of around 60 Belgian companies and institutions, including BESIX, the Belgian export credit agency Credendo, Belgium Gadot, DSV Contract Logistics, and Logwin Air Ocean Belgium, alongside companies operating in construction, engineering, manufacturing, energy, logistics, supply chains, technology, investment, and professional services.
The event highlighted the strengths of the Egyptian economy, the advantages of the country’s investment climate, available investment opportunities, and prospects for expanding trade and investment cooperation between Egypt and Belgium.
Awad said economic and trade relations between Egypt and Belgium offer significant potential for deeper cooperation, supported by Egypt’s large domestic market, diversified production base, and strategic location linking Africa, Asia, and Europe. These advantages, he said, reinforce Egypt’s role as a regional hub for manufacturing, logistics, and exports.
He added that Egypt has made significant progress in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), ranking first in Africa as an FDI destination according to reports issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Egypt also ranked second among Arab countries in FDI inflows in 2024.
Awad noted that Egypt’s strategic location, together with its extensive network of ports, airports, and the Suez Canal, provides investors with access to major markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Combined with the country’s broad network of free trade and preferential trade agreements, these advantages position Egypt as a regional platform for manufacturing and exports rather than simply a domestic market.
He stressed that Egypt remains a reliable partner for investors amid ongoing global economic and geopolitical developments. Its strategic location, expanding industrial base, comprehensive network of trade agreements, and the Egypt–European Union Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership strengthen its attractiveness as an investment destination and create broader opportunities for cooperation in investment, manufacturing, energy, sustainability, digital transformation, and value chains.
Awad also said GAFI has adopted a proactive approach to supporting investors throughout every stage of the investment journey by facilitating procedures and providing integrated services through its one-stop-shop system. The authority is also continuing to expand the digitalisation of investment services to improve the business environment and enhance the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy.
He highlighted several priority sectors for future Egypt–Belgium cooperation, including green energy, infrastructure, logistics and ports, advanced industries, pharmaceuticals and medical industries, sustainable agriculture, water management technologies, digital services, healthcare, the circular economy, and waste management.
Awad added that GAFI enables investors to explore opportunities through its Digital Investment Map, which features more than 1,300 investment-ready opportunities across various sectors and governorates, helping investors identify locations and activities best suited to their investment strategies.
The GAFI CEO also reviewed key indicators of economic relations between Egypt and Belgium, saying they provide a solid foundation for expanding Belgian investment, increasing Egyptian exports, and strengthening cooperation in priority sectors in a way that serves the shared economic interests of both countries.
He concluded by reaffirming GAFI’s readiness to organise specialised virtual and sector-focused meetings with Belgian companies and to translate discussions from the business forum into tangible partnerships and investment projects. He said these efforts would support the expansion of Belgian investment in Egypt while further strengthening the country’s position as an attractive investment destination and a regional hub for business, manufacturing, and exports.
