Egyptian PM directs government to prepare investment package for US firms

Mostafa Madbouly in a meeting with his Cabinet. State Information Service
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Updated 21 July 2025
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Egyptian PM directs government to prepare investment package for US firms

RIYADH: Egypt’s prime minister has instructed his government to prepare a package of investment opportunities for US firms, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations.

In a meeting with his Cabinet ministers, Mostafa Madbouly stated that several opportunities are available, particularly given the significant advantages offered by the country’s government to foreign investors, according to Egypt’s State Information Service. 

Egypt is intensifying efforts to attract foreign direct investment as part of its broader economic reform agenda and Vision 2030 strategy for sustainable development. 

Amid global headwinds and domestic economic challenges, the Egyptian government has launched several initiatives to deepen economic partnerships with major international players, notably the US.

One key milestone in this effort was the US–Egypt Policy Leaders Forum 2025, held in May, at which Madbouly announced that over 1,800 US companies are currently operating in the country, generating $47 billion in investments over the past two decades.

Discussing the latest Cabinet meeting, the Egyptian State Information Service reported that Madbouly “highlighted the government’s interest in supporting Egyptian-US relations in light of the strategic and historical ties between the two sides, noting the many opportunities for cooperation that could be exploited to support joint collaboration.”

The Egyptian prime minister added that his government is keen to remove all obstacles to joint cooperation, as well as to propose specific projects that will be discussed for collaboration in the upcoming period. 

During the gathering, Egypt’s Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, reviewed investment opportunities presented to US companies in sectors such as ports, maritime transport, and industrial zones. 

Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania El-Mashat outlined Egypt’s development cooperation efforts with the US, highlighting successful collaborative programs that contribute to the country’s development and further strengthen relations between the two sides.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Madbouly instructed all relevant authorities to coordinate on preparing a set of promising investment opportunities and to ensure they are presented to US companies, to boost foreign direct investment in Egypt.

Egypt, Germany in talks for €100m debt swap deal




International Cooperation Minister Rania Al-Mashat spoke at a joint press conference in Cairo with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Germany’s Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali-Radovan. State Information Service

In another major development, Al-Mashat announced that the country is in talks with Germany over a new debt swap agreement worth €100 million ($116.48 million), to be disbursed in two tranches. 

The first tranche is expected in December 2025 and the second in June 2026, according to the north African country’s State Information Service.

“These negotiations reflect the strength of Egyptian-German development cooperation and shared priorities in supporting sustainable development projects,” said Al-Mashat. 

According to Egypt’s Ministry of International Cooperation, the total value of debt swaps between Egypt and Germany would reach €340 million with this new agreement.


Saudi Arabia’s foreign reserves rise to a 6-year high of $475bn

Updated 22 February 2026
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Saudi Arabia’s foreign reserves rise to a 6-year high of $475bn

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s foreign reserves climbed 3 percent month on month in January to SR1.78 trillion, up SR58.7 billion ($15.6 billion) from December and marking a six-year high.

On an annual basis, the Saudi Central Bank’s net foreign assets rose by 10 percent, equivalent to SR155.8 billion, according to data from the Saudi Central Bank, Argaam reported.

The reserve assets, a crucial indicator of economic stability and external financial strength, comprise several key components.

According to the central bank, also known as SAMA, the Kingdom’s reserves include foreign securities, foreign currency, and bank deposits, as well as its reserve position at the International Monetary Fund, Special Drawing Rights, and monetary gold.

The rise in reserves underscores the strength and liquidity of the Kingdom’s financial position and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s goal of strengthening its financial safety net as it advances economic diversification under Vision 2030.

The value of foreign currency reserves, which represent approximately 95 percent of the total holdings, increased by about 10 percent during January 2026 compared to the same month in 2025, reaching SR1.68 trillion.

The value of the reserve at the IMF increased by 9 percent to reach SR13.1 billion.

Meanwhile, SDRs rose by 5 percent during the period to reach SR80.5 billion.

The Kingdom’s gold reserves remained stable at SR1.62 billion, the same level it has maintained since January 2008.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign reserve assets saw a monthly rise of 5 percent in November, climbing to SR1.74 trillion, according to the Kingdom’s central bank.

Overall, the continued advancement in reserve assets highlights the strength of Saudi Arabia’s fiscal and monetary buffers. These resources support the national currency, help maintain financial system stability, and enhance the country’s ability to navigate global economic volatility.

The sustained accumulation of foreign reserves is a critical pillar of the Kingdom’s economic stability. It directly reinforces investor confidence in the riyal’s peg to the US dollar, a foundational monetary policy, by providing SAMA with ample resources to defend the currency if needed.

Furthermore, this financial buffer enhances the nation’s sovereign credit profile, lowers national borrowing costs, and provides essential fiscal space to navigate global economic volatility while continuing to fund its ambitious Vision 2030 transformation agenda.