El-Khatib made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation from the Shafik Gabr Foundation, which included 20 fellows from Egypt and the United States. The meeting took place as part of the foundation’s Gabr Fellowship East–West initiative, which promotes dialogue, mutual understanding, and sustainable development through cultural and economic cooperation.
The Minister highlighted Egypt’s pivotal geographic role in connecting East and West and emphasized the country’s growing potential as a regional investment hub. He outlined the significant economic transformation Egypt has undergone over the past decade, marked by substantial infrastructure investments that have improved the business environment and laid the foundation for long-term growth.
El-Khatib discussed the state’s ongoing economic reform agenda, which includes monetary policy measures aimed at curbing inflation, fiscal reforms focused on reducing fees and taxes, and trade policies designed to streamline customs procedures—reducing clearance times by up to 75%. These reforms, he noted, are essential for improving Egypt’s global competitiveness and attracting sustained investment.