Latest news with #MEDEFInternational
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa courts investors with R940 billion Infrastructure drive
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has announced that the government intends to spend more than R940 billion on infrastructure Image: File Deputy President Paul Mashatile has announced government plans to spend more than R940 billion on infrastructure over the next three years. Mashatile announced this on Wednesday during a Roundtable Breakfast Dialogue hosted by MEDEF International in Paris. According to a statement issued by the Presidency, MEDEF is France's largest business federation, representing more than 750,000 companies ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises to large multinationals. The Deputy President arrived in France on Monday as part of a visit that is aimed at "reinforcing South Africa's historic and warm bilateral relations with France by expanding on existing cooperation projects, as well as identifying new areas of cooperation with a specific focus on trade and investment,'. "The South African Government has committed to spending more than R940 billion on infrastructure over the next three years. This funding will revitalise our roads and bridges, build dams and waterways, modernise our ports and airports, and power our economy," Mashatile said. Mashatile added that "investors have an opportunity to collaborate with the South African Government by investing in infrastructure such as ports, rail." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ "Moreover, investors have an opportunity to collaborate with the South African Government by investing in infrastructure such as ports, rail, electricity, and manufacturing to improve local value-addition and boost trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area," he said. His visit to France follows the European Union–South Africa Summit held in Cape Town last month, during which the EU announced an investment package of approximately R90 billion to support key development projects in South Africa. IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
Daily News Egypt
10-04-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's Investment Minister discusses cooperation with leading French companies
Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib reaffirmed the strong and steadily growing economic relationship between Egypt and France, emphasizing that bilateral ties have deepened in recent years thanks to the political will of both countries' leadership. El-Khatib made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation of major French companies affiliated with the French Employers Association (MEDEF International). He was accompanied by Hossam Heiba, Chairman of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI). The meeting took place on the sidelines of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Cairo and focused on enhancing economic and investment cooperation between the two nations. The minister noted that the discussions build on momentum from the Egyptian-French Economic Forum, which served as a key platform to expand investment and trade dialogue. He expressed appreciation for France's commitment to increasing its investments in Egypt, particularly in priority sectors aligned with the country's development goals. El-Khatib highlighted the significance of the meeting as a step forward in strengthening the economic partnership and capitalizing on the current positive momentum in bilateral relations. He underscored the importance of direct communication between the business communities in both countries, which lays the groundwork for joint projects that yield mutual benefits. He also emphasized Egypt's strategic role as a gateway to regional markets, offering French companies a valuable opportunity to expand their operations into the Middle East and Africa. The minister outlined Egypt's continued efforts to foster a stable and attractive investment environment, supported by comprehensive legislative and administrative reforms designed to stimulate economic growth across various sectors. He further stressed the importance of deepening cooperation in areas such as the green economy, renewable energy, and advanced technologies—sectors he described as vital pillars of Egypt's national development strategy. He expressed Egypt's strong interest in forging partnerships with France that focus on the exchange of knowledge, innovation, and technical expertise. El-Khatib concluded by reaffirming the government's commitment to supporting serious investors and providing all necessary facilities to ensure the successful implementation and sustainability of their projects in Egypt.
Daily News Egypt
10-04-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Communications Minister considers new French investments with MEDEF delegation
Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat held talks with a high-level delegation from the French Employers' Association (MEDEF International), led by Wouter Van Wersch, Executive Vice President of Airbus and head of the French business mission, to explore new French investments in Egypt's ICT sector. The meeting took place during French President Emmanuel Macron's official visit to Egypt and formed part of broader efforts to deepen economic cooperation between the two countries—particularly in the fields of communications and information technology. The delegation included senior executives from leading French multinational corporations already operating in Egypt, as well as representatives from companies exploring potential market entry. Discussions focused on key investment opportunities within Egypt's ICT sector, with an emphasis on the country's competitive edge amid rapid digital transformation, infrastructure development, and robust government support for innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital skills. Talaat emphasized the ministry's readiness to expand cooperation with French firms across various ICT domains, including outsourcing and digital services exports—relying on Egypt's highly skilled talent pool. He noted that over 180 international companies currently operate more than 200 outsourcing centers across the country. The minister outlined Egypt's vision for building a Digital Egypt, structured around three pillars: digital transformation, digital capacity-building, and digital innovation—underpinned by a governance framework and a resilient digital infrastructure. He identified several strategic goals for the sector's expansion: boosting its contribution to GDP, attracting foreign investment, accelerating digital transformation across all sectors, enhancing Egypt's position as a digital connectivity hub, and fostering digital skills and investment-friendly policies. Talaat noted that the ICT sector has been Egypt's fastest-growing sector for six consecutive years, with a growth rate of 16.3%. Its contribution to GDP has doubled, reaching 6%—up from 3.2% in 2018. Egypt also continues to lead the African continent in fixed internet speed and has maintained an 'A' classification in the UN's Digital Government Readiness Index since 2022. He highlighted a dramatic scale-up in digital skills development, with the number of trainees in ICT specializations growing from 4,000 in FY 2018/2019 to a targeted 500,000 this year. Talaat also pointed to the expansion of Digital Egypt Innovation Hubs across governorates to nurture entrepreneurship and innovation nationwide. Talaat stressed Egypt's geographic advantage as a digital gateway between Asia and Europe, noting that more than 90% of global internet traffic passes through the country. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to a regulatory environment that supports growth and innovation in the ICT sector. Ahmed El-Daher, CEO of the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), gave a detailed presentation on Egypt's strengths as a global outsourcing destination. He emphasized the diversity of ICT services offered and the country's potential to serve as a global digital service export hub. Sherine El-Gendy, Assistant Minister for Strategy and Implementation, elaborated on the strategic pillars of Digital Egypt and highlighted current projects to automate government services, equip citizens with digital skills, and promote digital innovation. She also discussed the second phase of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, with a focus on AI deployment in priority sectors and continued skill development. Amr Abbas, Deputy Chairperson of the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) for Market Regulation and Governance, discussed the development of forward-looking regulatory frameworks to keep pace with evolving telecom technologies and to encourage investment in the sector. The meeting concluded with an open dialogue between the Egyptian and French sides, where French business leaders shared their experiences and success stories in the Egyptian market. They praised the capabilities of Egyptian youth and expressed strong interest in expanding operations and partnerships in Egypt, citing the country's thriving ICT ecosystem and dynamic investment landscape.
Daily Tribune
02-03-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain-France investment cooperation in progress
Her Excellency Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, highlighted the ongoing development of Bahraini-French relations across various sectors, emphasising the importance of strengthening cooperation in tourism and investment for the mutual benefit of both countries. Al Sairafi met yesterday with Frederic Sanchez, President of the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF International), along with a delegation of its members. Discussions focused on enhancing economic partnerships, particularly in tourism infrastructure, hospitality, and sustainable tourism. Both sides also discussed opportunities for exchanging expertise in tourism promotion and developing international events hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain. Economic opportunities She noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain offers leading economic opportunities in the tourism sector, supported by competitive advantages, advanced infrastructure, and an investment friendly environment that fosters innovation, in line with the objectives of the 2022-2026 Tourism Strategy. Members of the MEDEF International delegation commended Bahrain's significant progress in the tourism sector and expressed their interest in strengthening cooperation with Bahraini authorities to support shared economic objectives.
Bahrain News Gazette
02-03-2025
- Business
- Bahrain News Gazette
Tourism Minister Engages in Investment Talks with French Business Delegation
Manama: Fatima bint Jaffar Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, met today with Fr©d©ric Sanchez, President of the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF International), along with a delegation of its members. The minister highlighted the ongoing development of Bahraini-French relations across various sectors, emphasising the importance of strengthening cooperation in tourism and investment for the mutual benefit of both countries. She noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain offers leading economic opportunities in the tourism sector, supported by competitive advantages, advanced infrastructure, and an investment-friendly environment that fosters innovation, in line with the objectives of the 2022-2026 Tourism Strategy. According to Bahrain News Agency, discussions focused on enhancing economic partnerships, particularly in tourism infrastructure, hospitality, and sustainable tourism. Both sides also discussed opportunities for exchanging expertise in tourism promotion and developing international events hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain.
