12 hours ago
Planning Ministry signs agreement with over 10 business associations to expand private sector support
Cairo – June 16, 2025: During the 'Development Finance to Foster Private Sector-Led Growth & Jobs' conference, which took place under the patronage and attendance of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation established a major partnership with a wide range of prominent business associations and chambers of commerce.
The agreement seeks to expand the availability and effectiveness of both financial and non-financial services for private sector enterprises across all governorates in Egypt.
This includes enterprises of all sizes—from large corporations to micro-enterprises and startups—who will benefit from the direct and indirect mechanisms provided through the 'Hafiz' platform. These efforts will be coordinated via the Federation of Industries, business associations, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, and their local branches.
Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, signed the agreement alongside representatives from the Federation of Egyptian Industries, the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, the Confederation of Egyptian European Business Associations (CEEBA), the Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce, the Egyptian-African Businessmen's Association, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, the Egyptian-Japanese Business Council, the Swiss-Egyptian Business Association, the British Egyptian Business Association, the Egyptian Businessmen's Association, the Egyptian Junior Business Association, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Egypt.
In her remarks, Rania Al-Mashat emphasized the Ministry's commitment to Egypt's sustainable economic development strategies and alignment with 'Egypt Vision 2030.' She highlighted the importance of fostering partnerships between public and private sectors and activating the role of the Private Sector Participation Unit to integrate private sector efforts within national development priorities, especially focusing on improving the business environment, supporting SMEs, and encouraging sectoral integration.
Al-Mashat also explained that the Ministry is working to increase the private sector's utilization of the Hub for Advisory, Finance & Investment for Enterprises platform. The platform offers a range of services and financing options, and the Ministry facilitates easier access for chamber member companies. Ongoing meetings organized by the Ministry through the Private Sector Participation Unit aim to strengthen communication with international development partners and the business community.
The Hub was launched by the Ministry as an innovative digital tool to empower the private sector by simplifying access to development financing and technical services. It connects development partners, government bodies, implementing agencies, and businesses of all scales, including SMEs, micro enterprises, and startups. The platform serves as a strategic mechanism to support economic diplomacy and mobilize funds for sustainable development.
Since its launch in December 2023, the Hub has expanded its offerings from 62 to over 90 financial and technical support services, provided by 44 bilateral and multilateral development partners. Nearly 18,000 users from the private sector and entrepreneurship community have engaged with the platform.
Its database features over 700 companies that have accessed support services, along with more than 1,000 tenders and development initiatives funded by partners in Egypt and over 80 other countries, providing opportunities for growth and access to wider markets.
