The Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) and Egypt’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade have engaged in discussions to enhance bilateral economic and investment ties. The meeting, held in the presence of Egypt’s ambassador to Qatar, Walid Fahmy al-Faqi, focused on initiatives to facilitate investment flows, expand joint projects, and improve administrative procedures for investors between the two countries.
Led by QBA Chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, the delegation emphasized the strategic importance of fostering deeper collaboration in various sectors, including industrial, tourism, real estate, and logistics. Sheikh Faisal highlighted Egypt’s sizable domestic market, diverse economy, and geographic advantage as key factors underpinning the attraction for Qatari investors. He also noted the potential for private-sector partnerships and the need to ease investment procedures by providing accurate information and reducing bureaucratic obstacles.
Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Dr Mohamed Farid Saleh, underscored the growing investment relationship between the two countries and the confidence Qatari investors have shown in the Egyptian economy. To support these efforts, the Egyptian government has established a dedicated department within the ministry focused on addressing the needs of Qatari investors. This unit aims to streamline processes, facilitate project follow-ups, and resolve challenges that Qatari businesses might face.
Dr Saleh also highlighted the government’s broader investment climate improvements, including enhanced incentives and regulatory facilitation. He pointed to the ministry’s commitment to partnering with the Qatari private sector in priority areas such as industry, tourism, and services. Furthermore, Egypt’s Sovereign Fund is exploring opportunities in Qatar and plans to open a fund office in Doha to support two-way investment.
During the discussions, Sheikh Mansoor bin Jassim al-Thani called for establishing a specialized office to assist Qatari small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) entering the Egyptian market. He emphasized that SMEs represent a vital component of the economic partnership but often face administrative and procedural hurdles. Creating direct channels for communication would enable SMEs to access essential information on licensing, land allocation, and regulatory requirements, improving their ability to invest successfully and sustainably.
Sheikh Nayef bin Eid al-Thani shared the experience of Retaj Investment Group, which currently operates six projects in Egypt’s hotel management and commercial sectors. Highlighting opportunities in tourism-related real estate development, he stressed Egypt’s strong tourism assets and the potential to expand integrated hotel and resort projects that would benefit both economies.
Dr Saleh identified tourism as a key priority for Egypt’s investment strategy, referencing a study conducted in partnership with the World Bank on future sector needs. Egypt aims to attract 30 million tourists in the near term, necessitating a significant increase in hotel capacity from about 1,500 to roughly 3,000 new rooms annually. This expansion opens opportunities for Qatari investors with expertise in tourism infrastructure to develop hotels, resorts, and related real estate projects in Egypt.
Both parties expressed commitment to maintaining close coordination with Egypt’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade and the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI). Plans are underway for a Qatari business delegation visit to Egypt to explore presented opportunities and promote sustainable economic cooperation between the two nations.