Yesterday, a round table was held between the Egyptian-African Businessmen Association, headed by Dr. Yousrey El-Sharqawi, the Small and Medium Enterprises Secretariat of the Mostaqbal Watan Party, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Committee in the House of Representatives, headed by Representative Mohamed Kamal Marhi.
This session was followed by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two sides, aiming to strengthen future cooperation at the local and African levels. The table witnessed a large attendance from the elite of the financial and business community, with the presence of Eng. Ahmed Samir, a member of the Association’s Board of Directors and a member of the Central Projects Secretariat of the Mostaqbal Watan Party, and Mr. Mohamed Abdel Malik, Executive Vice President of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency.
Dr. Yousrey El-Sharqawi, chairman of the Egyptian-African Businessmen Association, stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation between the association and the Mostaqbal Watan Party, noting that this step enhances joint efforts to enhance trade and investment between Egypt and African countries.
Dr. El-Sharqawi said: “This alliance reflects our commitment to strengthening economic and trade ties with our partners on the African continent, and encouraging cultural and technical exchange. We see that small and medium enterprises constitute an economic depth to societies, and we are committed to providing the necessary support for entrepreneurship and stimulating innovation.”
He pointed out that the memorandum enhances mutual understanding between the parties and provides opportunities to exchange experiences and knowledge. It reflects the pledge to strengthen the capabilities of businessmen in Egypt and African countries, and contributes to encouraging investment and promoting sustainable development.
In a related context, MP Mohamed Kamal Marei, Secretary of Central Projects Affairs of the Mostaqbal Watan Party and Chairman of the Parliament’s Projects Committee, expressed his optimism about the expected cooperation between the association and the party. Representative Maree stated: “This memorandum reflects our commitment to strengthening the role of the private sector as a major driver of development, and enhancing job and investment opportunities in Egypt and on the African continent.”
Representative Marai stressed the importance of Parliament’s role in supporting such initiatives, noting that Parliament’s Small and Medium Enterprises Committee plays a vital role in encouraging entrepreneurial initiatives and supporting leadership in the private sector.
At the conclusion of his statement, Representative Marhi praised the effective coordination witnessed by the round table, stressing the importance of joint work to achieve sustainable development goals and enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors.
On the other hand, Engineer Ahmed Samir, a member of the Board of Directors of the Egyptian African Businessmen Association, and a member of the Central Projects Secretariat of the Mostaqbal Watan Party, stated his optimism about the results of the round table, saying: We are proud of the cooperation that was achieved in this event, and it is an important step towards building bridges of communication between… Businessmen in Egypt and the African continent.
He expressed his hope that this cooperation would contribute to enhancing trade exchange and encouraging investment, stressing the importance of providing a supportive environment for small and medium enterprises. Regarding his role in coordinating the event, Engineer Samir praised the organizing team and stressed the importance of effective cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Mr. Mohamed Abdel Malik, Executive Vice President of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, expressed his praise for the existing cooperation between the public and private sectors in this context, and stated: This round table is a unique opportunity to achieve effective communication, and it is a positive step towards enhancing the role of the private sector. In achieving sustainable development goals.
He stressed the importance of the role of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency in supporting entrepreneurial initiatives and providing the necessary support to empower businessmen. Regarding the future of cooperation, Mr. Abdul Malik indicated that continuous coordination between the parties concerned will contribute to improving the business environment and enhancing innovation and sustainability.
Within the framework of the discussions, the audience interacted effectively, as members of the association and representatives of the Nation’s Future Party shared their unique experiences and talked about the details of their own projects, in addition to reviewing the challenges they faced in their journey. These contributions consisted of exchanging ideas and experiences, and highlighting the successes and challenges that constitute a vital part of the businessmen’s journey.
After the end of the round table, it resulted in the submission of many valuable suggestions, and the exchange of files and ideas that contribute to strengthening the legislative and executive aspects of Law No. 152. Emphasis was also placed on advancing the frameworks for the actual implementation of this law by taking a real look at the needs and challenges of the active business community.