Investment Minister: Integrating local companies into supply chains boosts exports

Cairo - Nadeh Imam: Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Dr. Mohamed Farid emphasized that maximizing returns from foreign investments is not solely linked to the volume of inflows, but rather to the local economy’s capacity to benefit from them by linking multinational corporations with local manufacturers and suppliers, and enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to join global supply chains, thereby boosting local production and opening new export opportunities.

This statement was made during his participation in the plenary session titled “Investing in Skills, Talent, and Entrepreneurship,” held as part of the Global Investment Forum 2026 in the Qatari capital (Doha), alongside Dr. Lulwah bint Rashid Al-Khater, Qatar’s Minister of Education and Higher Education, as well as several officials and representatives from international institutions and the private sector.

The minister clarified that achieving this integration rests on three main pillars: providing appropriate financing, making information available to investors and exporters, and qualifying local suppliers according to the requirements of major corporations in terms of quality, specifications, and production capabilities.

He highlighted the role of the “Egypt Launches for Export” initiative and the Foreign Trade Information Platform in informing companies about export opportunities, target markets, trade procedures, technical specifications, rules of origin, and trade agreements, as well as information related to exhibition services, inspection, and trade finance.

Farid outlined the role of trade technology and artificial intelligence in connecting producers with buyers and facilitating access to information and markets, stressing the importance of testing innovative digital solutions through the Trade Technology Regulatory Lab.

He concluded by reiterating that adaptability, perseverance, and continuous learning are essential skills for keeping pace with technological transformations, especially given the growing impact of artificial intelligence on jobs and labor markets.