The 12th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum Featuring the Arab Republic of Egypt

Organizations › Other ♦ Published: October 19, 2021; 14:06 ♦ (Vindobona)

This year's Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce forum features the Arab Republic of Egypt as the guest country and focuses on energy, railway and tourism, while presenting an insight into Egypt’s economic landscape and development and highlighting lucrative investments the country has to offer.

Featuring high-level representatives on Ministerial and Official levels, the Forum seeks to further discuss scopes of cooperation and potential partnerships between Egyptian and Austrian Businesses. / Picture: © Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) / Screenshot

The AACC Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce organizes the 12th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum - Online Edition taking place online on Wednesday, 20 October 2021, from 10:00-16:00 Vienna time (CEST).

The Arab Republic of Egypt is Africa’s second largest economy and a gateway to both, the African continent and the Arab Region.

"As a result of extensive administrative and economic reforms, the Egyptian economy has proven resilient and allowed the country to enter the global COVID-19 crisis with improving fiscal and external accounts", according to the AACC Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce in Vienna.

Although the impact of the pandemic has also hit the Egyptian economy and especially its important tourism sector, Egypt is expected to be one of the few countries with economic growth, with an estimated GDP growth of (+) 3.3% in 2019/20.

The 2021 forum presents an insight into the country’s economic landscape and development and provides an outlook on investment opportunities and potentials with special focus on econmy and investment, transport and tourism.

The forum is intended to answer the following questions:

To find out more about the most important trade routes across the globe
To know what the best-preserved archaeological discoveries in human history are like
To get informed about one of the biggest road/railway projects in the world
To learn how Egypt is implementing one of its largest and most modern relocation plans for its government centers
To know what enormous development projects there are in one of the largest economies in North Africa
To know how financing the implementation of development projects in Egypt and its liquidity will be structured
To hear first-hand information from high-level officials and distinguished decision-makers (Ministers / Vice-Ministers / Chairpersons of Authorities) on these topics

Featuring high-level representatives on Ministerial and Official levels, the Forum seeks to further discuss scopes of cooperation and potential partnerships for Austrian, Egyptian and International Businesses.

Supporting organizations are the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Vienna and the Union of Arab Chambers (UAC).

Preliminary Programme:

Wednesday, 20 October 2021 10:00 – 10:30 |

WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS

H.E. Senator Dr. Richard Schenz, President of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC)
H.E. Dr. Margarete Schramböck, Federal Minister for Digital and Economic Affairs of the Republic of Austria
H.E. Dr. Hala Elsaid, Minister of Planning & Economic Development of the Arab Republic of Egypt
H.E. Mr. Yehia Zaki, Chairman of the Suez Canal Economic Zone, Egypt
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Hamdy M. Elmolla, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Austria
H.E. Dr. Georg Stillfried, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Egypt
H.E. Dr. Khaled Hanafy, Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Chambers
Moderator: DI. Mouddar Khouja, Secretary General, Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce

10:30 – 11:30 | SESSION I: Landscape of Egyptian Economy

With its “Vision 2030” launched in 2016, Egypt has put its national agenda and strategy towards sustainable development in economic, social and environmental dimensions. As part of this vision, Egypt has decided to fund new mega-projects countrywide, including the building of new cities and a new administrative capital. This session provides an overview on Egypt’s economic situation and landscape, key sectors for investment such as energy, clothing and textile industry, furniture, and petrochemicals, as well as the development strategies for the industrial and services sectors. Furthermore, the incentives offered for new investors in general and within the Free Economic Zones, and the possible collaboration with the New Sovereign Fund of Egypt (TSFE).