Minister of Planning and Economic Development Ahmed Rostom held talks on Sunday, May 17, 2026, with World Bank (WB) Regional Director for Infrastructure in the Middle East and North Africa Almud Weitz, to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in addition to several shared strategic issues.
Rostom said the state is moving in line with a comprehensive development vision aimed at promoting sustainable growth, improving the investment climate, and expanding private sector participation. He stressed that the government prioritizes entrepreneurship for its role in driving innovation and creating sustainable job opportunities for youth.
He added that the ministry is working with relevant bodies to develop an integrated system to support innovation. This includes simplifying procedures, improving access to financing and advancing digital transformation in order to enhance the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy regionally and internationally.
As for infrastructure projects, he outlined the government’s plan to develop an innovative financing model that combines public resources, private sector investments, and foreign capital. He said the approach would enable more efficient and sustainable funding of major national projects, building on Egypt’s progress in energy, transport, and urban development in recent years.
Weitz reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Egypt’s development efforts, praising the resilience of the Egyptian tourism sector in the face of regional challenges. She also said that the bank is currently holding intensive consultations with investors and the private sector to identify opportunities and develop innovative solutions that support green and sustainable tourism in Egypt.