BEBA held a discussion with the Egyptian Minister of Finance in the presence of the British Ambassador

Cairo October 28,2025: The British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA) organized an exclusive discussion with Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk, moderated by Mark Bryson-Richardson, the British Ambassador to Egypt.

Mark Bryson-Richardson, the British Ambassador to Egypt, expressed his honor in discussing the progress achieved since the minister’s appointment 18 months ago, particularly emphasizing the strengthening of connections between Egyptian and British businesses. He also highlighted the recent upgrade in Egypt’s credit rating by Standard & Poor’s and the resulting macroeconomic stabilization, while inquiring about the government’s future plans and strategic objectives moving forward.

Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk highlighted the robust recovery of Egypt’s economy, driven primarily by the private sector’s active participation. He emphasized that this rebound is largely the result of private investors’ swift and confident response to economic challenges. Kouchouk pointed to the notable rise in private investments and growing investor confidence, which have contributed to an overall improvement in Egypt’s risk perception. He further underscored the importance of teamwork within the Ministry of Finance, acknowledging the collective efforts that made these achievements possible. Concluding his remarks, the Minister expressed optimism about the future, reaffirming the need to maintain effective strategies and a collaborative spirit to ensure continued progress.

He also affirmed the importance of teamwork within the border economic team, emphasizing collaboration with private sector partners. Kouchouk discusses the need for a shared vision and outlines goals for future progress, specifically focusing on enhancing economic compactness and promoting private investment in productive sectors. Key objectives include fostering manufacturing and attracting more visibility and opportunities for investors to ensure consistent improvements in the economy.

The minister announced plans for a new tax system aimed at simplifying and reducing the burden on existing investors. We can expect a package outlining these changes shortly, followed by consultations and implementation by early January. Key initiatives include streamlining the customs process to improve efficiency, addressing multiple layers of taxation, and developing a fairer tax system. The ministry is also collaborating with other departments on 29 measures to enhance trade and investment processes. A new property tax reform is anticipated, and a settlement mechanism for businesses to manage payments to the government is being tested, which will lead to further announcements soon.

He discussed plans to enhance clarity and strategy for the future, with an emphasis on a meeting in December to outline a new intern plan for markets and investors. They highlighted ongoing efforts to improve service performance and reduce burdens, while consulting on tax strategies in the upcoming fiscal quarters. Trust and partnership with the business community are crucial, and attracting new partners is a goal. The speaker acknowledged past achievements, particularly in macroeconomic and fiscal areas, and expressed a commitment to structural reforms. They mentioned improvements in customs processes, tax neutrality, and eliminating preferential treatments for public entities in economic activities. Overall, there is a focus on transparency and building trust through consistent communication of reforms and implementation results.

Kouchouk discusses ongoing evaluations of reforms aimed at improving tax collection, highlighting the inclusion of 134 new entities and an increase in revenue. He mentions efforts to promote diversity within the organization and the establishment of a new unit to oversee public entities, focusing on governance, management, and performance improvements. This unit will play a significant role in determining the future of companies regarding partnerships and divestment. Additionally, there is recognition of progress in the energy sector, addressing challenges in an inclusive manner.

He highlighted improvements in foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic recovery, noting stabilization in production and infrastructure. They aslo discussed investments in renewable energy and plans for a UK-Egypt strategic partnership, including a trade investment conference to attract investors. Emphasizing British businesses as trusted partners, kouchouk called for greater engagement in trade and technology transfer while urging ambitious goals to capitalize on Egypt’s manufacturing capabilities and location.

Kouchouck emphasizes the potential for collaboration and the importance of implementing necessary reforms. They express a commitment to working closely with partners, particularly in sectors like financial services, education, advanced manufacturing, and renewables. The goal is to expand efforts and involve new partners to achieve an ambitious vision. he also mentions the upcoming summit, where further details on goals and focus areas will be shared.

The Minister of Finance highlight recent approvals from a high-speed committee and the establishment of a $10 million revolving fund to streamline project preparation and reduce delays. He also acknowledges the need for more efficiency and improvements in project timelines, mentioning that recent efforts have led to substantial progress in terms of public investment and project implementation.

He discusses an upcoming public consultation expected to be announced in the next two weeks regarding a revised tax package aimed at supporting existing taxpayers and long-term importers. The initiative has involved consultations with various stakeholders, including tax experts and the business community. The package will address challenges and requests identified over the years, with approximately 25 measures anticipated. Additionally, there is a focus on encouraging company listings, both locally and regionally, including in the UK. The goal is to provide clarity and incentives for existing companies and newcomers to facilitate more accessible market participation.

He finally emphasizes the importance of investment and expresses support for future collaboration. Kouchouk also highlight the presence of capable partners and a new ambitious investor, suggesting that there are significant opportunities for improvement and growth in both performance and investment strategies. The goal is to strengthen relationships and enhance global presence.