Friday 27/March/2026 – 11:10 AM
Dr. Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, discussed with Basil Rahmi, CEO of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, ways to formulate an integrated road map to support entrepreneurship and overcome obstacles facing emerging companies, stressing that the solidarity of all concerned parties has become an imperative necessity to ensure the sustainability of economic growth and open new horizons for job opportunities in light of the current challenges.
Planning and economic development
During the meeting, Dr. Ahmed Rustom confirmed that Entrepreneurship It is a fundamental driver of economic growth and job creation, explaining that the government focuses on providing a supportive environment for small and medium enterprises, facilitating financing and incentive procedures, and encouraging innovation so that promising ideas turn into successful companies that contribute to strengthening the national economy.
The Minister of Planning and Economic Development stressed the importance of concerted efforts between relevant state agencies and the private sector to support small projects and entrepreneurship, noting that the current economic conditions require the solidarity of all concerned parties to ensure sustainable growth and open new horizons for innovation and job opportunities.
Dr. Ahmed Rostom pointed out that after every crisis comes a time for recovery and growth, stressing that micro, small, and medium enterprises are one of the large and pivotal sectors in supporting the Egyptian economy, because of their role in providing job opportunities, encouraging innovation, and supporting market stability, stressing the need to continue supporting this sector to face challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Dr. Ahmed Rustom also stressed that the current stage is witnessing major economic challenges as a result of geopolitical developments and regional and international turmoil, noting that the state places at the top of its priorities the setting of a development vision for the strategic files to ensure the sustainability of development indicators in both their economic and social aspects, explaining that the focus is particularly on energy and food security, as they are two basic pillars of the citizen’s well-being and the stability of the economy.
The Minister of Planning and Economic Development stressed that the state’s efforts aim to manage the current challenges wisely and effectively, while enhancing the ability of small and medium enterprises to withstand and contribute to sustainable development, ensuring a balance between economic and social security and enhancing long-term growth opportunities.
For his part, Basil Rahmi, CEO of the Medium, Small and Micro Enterprise Development Agency, stressed the agency’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, and to work jointly to contribute to creating a supportive environment for young Egyptian entrepreneurs, owners of medium, small and micro enterprises, and entrepreneurs wishing to establish new projects.
Rahmi praised the important role played by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development in drawing the map of the national economy, cooperating with all state institutions, government agencies, and the private sector, and directing funds and investments to work towards achieving a sustainable and diversified economy that depends in large part on innovation and knowledge. He also welcomed the partnership from the Ministry to support emerging companies and risk capital funds through the National Investment Bank and its subsidiaries, especially NI Capital, which contributes to developing the environment for innovative projects in Egypt, attracting new investments for emerging companies, and strengthening Egypt’s position as a regional center for entrepreneurship.
Rahmi reviewed the efforts of the Enterprise Development Agency in strengthening the entrepreneurship system and supporting emerging companies, as well as the agency’s role in activating the startup charter, which was launched by Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Agency’s Board of Directors, last February.
The meeting included a presentation of the current cooperation position with the National Planning Institute of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development to prepare the agency’s work strategy for 2026/2030, in addition to discussing ways of cooperation between the agency and the ministry towards preparing the national strategy for medium, small and micro enterprises and entrepreneurship in a way that ensures unification of the state’s development vision, coordination of efforts between the various parties, as well as promoting an environment supportive of growth and innovation, and providing sustainable job opportunities.
