Introduction

Egypt Overview

Egypt is the easternmost country of northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Israel to the east, the Sudan to the south and Libya to the west. The country’s coastline totals 2450 kilometres. The River Nile passes through Cairo the capital and enters the Mediterranean Sea on the Egyptian coast near Alexandria.

When people think of Egypt, antiquities most often come to mind, but Egypt offers much more. Certainly it is a prime location to see great heritage sites from the ancient world, including pyramids and wonderful temples, but Egypt offers many adventure tours as well, including nature and desert treks, great scuba diving and even golf, fishing and birding expeditions.

Alternatively, one may choose to simply relax on Egypt's wondrous Red Sea or Sinai coasts, or take in the high culture of Cairo, including grand operas, fine restaurants and its exciting nightlife. One may even float down the Egyptian Nile leisurely on a luxurious riverboat (one fleet owned by India’s Oberoi Group), or mix and match these vacations, including excursions into deeper Africa or places such as Petra, Jordan. It is also part of the Holy Land, and tours to Muslim, Christian and other religious monuments are popular. Read a travelogue on Egypt at www.diplomatist.com (International Travelogues).

Investment Climate

Egypt is a vast country, open to innovation. With its wide capabilities and numerous resources, Egypt is ready to step forward into the international economic landscape to play a significant role. Egypt is a country of great opportunities, with a strategic location offering direct access to markets in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Egypt's policy is to reach free trade agreements with all countries in the region. Several bilateral trade protocols have already been replaced with such agreements. An agreement with the European Union is also being negotiated. Egyptian industry can therefore anticipate the free flow of goods and services to reach populations significantly greater than the 63 million within its borders.

Numerous international firms have already invested in profitable ventures in Egypt. These include: Daimler-Benz, Peugeot, Citroën, Nestlé, Unilever, Chloride, Eveready, Ciba-Geigy, Hoechst, Eli Lilly, Glaxo, Gillette, American Express, Barclays, Citibank, Bristol Myers Squibb, Procter & Gamble, Ferrostahl, Molvino, Schindler, Johnson and Johnson, Roussel Uclaf, Xerox, Swisspharma, General Motors and many others.

Egypt offers a vast range of investment opportunities, which encompasses: manufacturing; land reclamation and agriculture; agribusiness and food processing; petrochemicals and fertilizers; labour-intensive industry; infrastructure and services; tourism and holiday resorts; and, acquisition of state-owned enterprises. Priorities are in export development, employment creation and resource use. Firms, whether domestic or international, are advised to seek an export orientation for their output. 

Egypt is looking to attract new technology and make use of its comparative advantage with a young, educated labour force, large reserves of natural gas and year-round good weather and sunshine. 

(References available upon request)

Egypt Country Data