Country Profile
From The Report: Egypt 2013
View in Online Reader

Home to one of the oldest civilisations in the world, Egypt remains the most populous and one of the most influential countries in the Arab world. Over the past two years, a state of transition has become a more or less permanent feature of Egypt’s political scene. Popular protests starting on January 25, 2011 represented Egyptians from a wide spectrum of backgrounds and originated in calls for increased economic equality and transparency. The country’s first free and fair democratic elections in November 2011 resulted in a win for the Freedom and Justice Party in Egypt’s lower house of the bicameral parliament. However, protests against Mohammed Morsi’s presidency gathered momentum in mid-2013, resulting in the military acting to remove Morsi from office and suspend parliamentary proceedings. Despite the political events of recent years, the country remains a key player in the region.

This chapter contains interviews with Osama Saleh, Minister of Investment, and Chairman, General Authority for Investment and Free Zones; and Zafer Çağlayan, Turkish Minister of Economy.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

In transition: Despite the political events of recent years, the nation remains a key player in the region
OBG
plus

Over the past two years, a state of transition has become a more or less permanent feature of Egypt’s political scene. After 18 months, the 2011 uprising that led to the fall of former President Hosni Mubarak resulted in the election of a new president, Mohammed Morsi of the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), and a new constitution for the country. However, by the summer of 2013, the Morsi administration had been removed by the military, following several days of public protests. This back-and-forth…

Viewpoint

Osama Saleh, Minister of Investment, and Chairman, General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), on investing after the revolution
OBG
plus

Egypt is the largest country in the region, with more than 60% of its population under the age of 30. It was the needs and aspirations of those young men and women that ignited the January 25 and June 30 events. Their need for jobs, freedom of expression, political participation, transparency, social justice and a brighter outlook solidified their resolve to bring about change for a new Egypt. However, the Egyptian economy has also witnessed economic repercussions following the revolution. We are…

Interview

OBG talks to Zafer Çağlayan, Turkish Minister of Economy
OBG
plus

Interview:Zafer Çağlayan Where do you see the greatest scope for growth in bilateral trade and investment with Africa? ZAFER ÇAĞLAYAN: Africa is a large target market for Turkish firms, particularly for our small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is also a vibrant market for Turkish exports and provides key raw materials for domestic Turkish industry. In order to maximise the benefits of this relationship, a Strategy for Enhancing the Economic and Commercial Relations with African…

Interview

OBG talks to Zafer Çağlayan, Turkish Minister of Economy
OBG
plus

Interview:Zafer Çağlayan Where do you see the greatest scope for growth in bilateral trade and investment with Africa? ZAFER ÇAĞLAYAN: Africa is a large target market for Turkish firms, particularly for our small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is also a vibrant market for Turkish exports and provides key raw materials for domestic Turkish industry. In order to maximise the benefits of this relationship, a Strategy for Enhancing the Economic and Commercial Relations with African…

Analysis

On the periphery: Following recent events, areas outside of Cairo are set to play a growing role
OBG
plus

One big factor that contributed to the 2011 revolution in Egypt was the increasing sense of alienation and disempowerment felt by the country’s poor, who in Egypt tend to be concentrated in rural districts away from the main urban centres of Cairo and Alexandria. As a result, in recent years there has been a growing recognition of the role that provinces can play in both electoral dynamics and economic development, and the accompanying need for a greater decentralisation of policy-making…

Analysis

Better leverage: Regional support provides scope in working toward fiscal stability
OBG
plus

While Egypt has a number of long-term assets – including a large and growing population, broad export profile, strong manufacturing base, natural resources and huge potential tourism revenues – the uncertainty over the country’s stability, economic indicators and broader policies has slowed growth and production over 2013 (see Economy chapter). Support from regional neighbours has helped buttress reserves, and GDP growth should tick upwards in 2014, but fiscal health nonetheless represents…

Overview

Making history: An age-old civilisation at the confluence of Africa, Asia and Europe
OBG
plus

Home to one of the oldest civilisations in the world, spanning millennia, Egypt remains the most populous and one of the most influential countries in the Arab world. The wealth of the Nile and its fertile banks and delta, together with Egypt’s location at the confluence of Africa, Asia and Europe, have made the country a valuable prize for centuries, as well as a centre of trade and ideas. In the 1950s the country served as one of the major launching pads for the pan-Arab movement and…