Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid affirmed that preparing a new generation of exporters represents a strategic priority for the state to enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian exports and increase their ability to access global markets. He noted that the ministry is working to expand training and qualification programs to improve the capabilities of new exporters and support their readiness for international expansion.
The remarks came during the minister’s participation in the signing ceremony of the 2026 annual program of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, a member of the Islamic Development Bank Group, for the benefit of Egypt, valued at $1.5 billion. The program falls within the framework agreement signed between the two sides for five years, with a credit ceiling of up to $6 billion.
The signing ceremony was attended by Governor of Egypt at the Islamic Development Bank, Ahmed Kouchouk, Supply Minister Sherif Farouk, Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi, along with several officials from relevant entities. The Investment Minister said the training program implemented by the ITFC in cooperation with the ministry’s Foreign Trade Training Center has so far succeeded in qualifying 600 trainees, while aiming to increase the number of beneficiaries in the coming phase, contributing to expanding the base of qualified exporters and supporting Egypt’s export system.
The event also witnessed the launch of the second phase of the Step Towards Export Training Program, following the success of the first phase, which benefited 400 small and medium-sized enterprises. The new phase aims to train 600 beneficiaries, including exporters, entrepreneurs, and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises, over two years.
Among them, 100 trainees will receive an accredited diploma in international trade from the Foreign Trade Training Center and the Forum for International Trade Training in Canada. Farid praised the ongoing cooperation with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, stressing that it is a key partner in supporting efforts to develop Egyptian exports through financing programs, trade promotion missions, and capacity-building initiatives, in addition to its role in enhancing regional integration and opening new markets for Egyptian products.
The corporation’s 2026 work program includes providing trade finance operations worth $1.5 billion to support the energy sector, food security, and small and medium-sized enterprises for the benefit of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation and the General Authority for Supply Commodities, in addition to providing financing lines for Egyptian banks to support the private sector and SMEs.
The program also includes implementing several initiatives related to trade development and business enhancement, including the “Arab-Africa Trade Bridges” program and the Aid for Trade Initiative for Arab States (AfTIAS 2 program), as well as organizing workshops on digital trade to support the state’s efforts in developing e-commerce systems and digital transformation.
For his part, ITFC CEO Adeeb Yousif Al Aama confirmed that the total financing provided by the corporation to Egypt since 2008 has exceeded $24.8 billion, allocated to supporting vital sectors, particularly energy and food security, in addition to financing projects aimed at empowering women and supporting exporters and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises.