A country's potential depends more on its ability to adapt itself to global business changes. In fact, Egypt has adapted itself to a changing global economy in the past quarter century by adopting a set of political and economic reform measures.

In the early 1980s, Egypt adopted an ambitious strategy aimed at upgrading the national infrastructure: roads, electricity, ports, telecommunications as well as basic services. In 2008, a modern and efficient infrastructure network, an essential for increased foreign and domestic investments, is already available in every corner of the country.

Starting from 1990s, the Egyptian government adopted a comprehensive financial and economic reform program, heralding a prosperous era of efficient economic management and a world-class, reliable financial system. This promising program laid the foundations for a dynamic, high-growth economy. Over the course of the past decade, these economic reforms have paved the way for a free-market, liberal, privately-led economy that is indeed capable of withstanding increasing global competition.

By overhauling the Egyptian market conditions, improving the infrastructure, dismantling red-tape procedures, Egypt now boasts one of the most open, flexible and internationally integrated markets in the Middle East. Indeed, it has already established itself as one of the emerging economies, according to international financial institutions.

Marked by diversity, the Egyptian economy is rich in natural resources, increasingly integrated manufacturing capacities, a thriving agricultural sector, a multitude of tourist attractions, as well as a skillful, cheap labour force. These advantageous elements, in fact, provide the Egyptian economy with a great potential for sustainable growth.

The Egyptian government has also paid special attention to establishing an efficient transportation network, state-of-the-art telecommunications, in addition to power plants which create an atmosphere conducive for investment. The banking, insurance and capital markets have been revamped to provide an array of world-class financial services as well as considerable profit opportunities.

Thanks to these reforms, Egypt?s economy is now the second largest in the Arab world, and the largest in North Africa.
With a population of nearly 75 million, Egypt is the largest Arab nation and the most populous country in the African continent as well.

Egypt has always been considered a major trade and trans-shipment destination, for it occupies the northeastern corner of Africa, sharing borders with Libya to the west, Sudan to the south, and Palestine, Israel and Jordan to the northeast. The Mediterranean Sea consists its northern coast, while the Red Sea lies to the east. Well situated at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and Asia, Egypt is located at the heart of international trade routes, which means that it can competitively supply a market of over one billion people in the three continents.

As the Egyptian government has invested heavily in the IT sector over the past decade, local and multinational companies can now capitalise on the growing base of young Egyptians skilled in IT. Several international software companies have opened offices in Cairo to Arabise their applications, and thus to tap the expanding Arabic-speaking Middle Eastern IT market.

As for the manufacturing sector, Egyptian engineers are now employed in the development of prototypes for food, pharmaceuticals and electronics. Egypt?s workforce, which amounts to more than 18 million, is also a rich source of productive, inexpensive, skilled and semi-skilled labour.

In fact, Egypt?s recent integration in the global business offers ample opportunities for economies of scale in both industry and trade. By opening an office or investing in Egypt, a business can profit from the increasingly growing domestic market, cater to the high purchasing power and enormous demand in neighboring Arab and African countries, and expand on existing trade links with the European Union and the United States.

General Authority for Investment and Free Zones - GAFI

Business in Egypt: Detailed Company Database and News Reliable, Timely and Accurate

Social and Economic Development A Follow-up Report for The year 2006-2007

Map of Egypt - General Information about Egypt