H.E. Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Delivers Opening Remarks at the Fourth Edition of the Egyptian Women’s Summit

Under the Patronage of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister

H.E. Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Delivers Opening Remarks at the Fourth Edition of the Egyptian Women’s Summit

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat: Innovation Is Essential to Enhancing Economic Competitiveness and Keeping Pace with Technological Transformations and Labor Market Developments

I call on the private sector and researchers to leverage the “Career and Employment Outlook” platform to anticipate future labor market trends

A clear vision to promote scientific research and innovation as a core pillar of inclusive economic development

Expanding applied technology education builds generations and talent capable of competing globally

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, delivered the opening remarks at the fourth edition of the Egyptian Women’s Summit, organized by the Top 50 Most Influential Women Forum under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, and in cooperation with the National Council for Women, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), and Nile University. The summit was held under the theme “Science, Technology, Innovation, and the Knowledge Economy.”

The event was attended by Mr. Mohamed Gibran, Minister of Labor; Mr. Basel Rahmy, CEO of MSMEDA; media figure Dina Abdel Fattah, Founder and Chair of the Top 50 Most Influential Women Forum; representatives of the private sector, women leaders, and development partners.

In her opening remarks, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat stated that promoting entrepreneurship and investing in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), artificial intelligence, and innovation is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for any economy seeking competitiveness, innovation, and the ability to keep pace with rapid technological change. She emphasized that Egypt places scientific research and innovation at the top of its priorities by encouraging research projects and transforming research outputs into tangible value added for the Egyptian economy.

She referred to the recently issued Future of Arab Labor Markets Report, which highlighted the impact of digital transformation and artificial intelligence on labor markets across the Arab region. She explained that modern technologies are creating new opportunities in information technology, e-commerce, digital marketing, and services, while simultaneously requiring advanced skills in analysis, programming, and creative thinking.

In the same context, she noted that the World Economic Forum estimates that up to 75 million jobs may be displaced globally by 2025 due to automation and digital transformation, while 133 million new jobs requiring different skill sets are expected to be created. The report recommends implementing structural reforms to align labor supply and demand, as well as adopting development plans that generate sufficient job opportunities for new labor market entrants.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat affirmed that the Egyptian state, under the leadership of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, has exerted extensive efforts not only in infrastructure development, but also in investing in human capital, building minds, and promoting scientific research and innovation. She noted that these efforts are guided by a clear national vision that views research and innovation as fundamental pillars of sustainable and inclusive economic development.

She added that these policies have led to increased private sector partnerships and the adoption of international best practices, particularly through expanding applied technology education. Recently, new agreements were signed to establish and operate 89 applied technology schools starting next academic year, while the government is also working to convert 1,270 technical schools into applied technology schools in cooperation with international partners and the business and industrial community.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also highlighted President El-Sisi’s meeting with a group of Japanese education experts in Egypt, underscoring the political leadership’s commitment to improving education quality and maximizing the benefits of the 69 Japanese schools operating nationwide, enabling Egypt to build globally competitive generations and skilled talent.

She reviewed the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to support innovation, scientific research, entrepreneurship, and the transition to a knowledge-based economy. In this context, she explained that Egypt has reshaped its economic growth model in line with current challenges and future opportunities through the launch of Egypt’s Narrative for Economic Development: Reforms for Growth, Jobs & Resilience, which focuses on high-productivity, value-added sectors, including information technology, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, and energy.

She also noted the Ministry’s commitment to allocating public investments through the Economic and Social Development Plan to expand applied technology schools in partnership with the private sector. The FY 2025/2026 plan allocates approximately EGP 30.5 billion in public investments to the education sector. She highlighted the STEM schools initiative, now operating in 11 governorates, as one of Egypt’s most successful education reform models, producing outstanding scientific talent.

To strengthen education and employment policies through accurate analytical data, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat announced the launch of the “Career and Employment Outlook” platform in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). The platform provides data on more than 400 professions, covering 98% of Egypt’s employed workforce, supporting adaptation to labor market changes from both education and employment perspectives, increasing employment rates, and advancing Egypt Vision 2030. She also highlighted the role of sectoral skills councils in aligning education and training with industry needs.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized that Egyptian women entrepreneurs have proven themselves at the forefront of success, demonstrating that women’s economic empowerment is not optional but essential for societal prosperity. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030, alongside initiatives that expand women’s participation in the labor market and foster inclusive work environments.

She also referenced the launch of President El-Sisi’s “Alliance and Development” initiative, which aims to enhance scientific and research collaboration among Egyptian universities, industry, and production institutions, leverage regional comparative advantages, and strengthen integration between research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Addressing challenges requiring further reforms to support entrepreneurship, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted the establishment of the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship, which she chairs. The group has developed a Startup Charter comprising more than 80 structural reforms and policy measures to be announced soon, paving the way for expanded opportunities and increased investment in startups over the next five years.

In closing, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat stressed that empowering women in science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship is not merely a matter of equality, but a prerequisite for sustainable economic growth and building advanced nations. She reaffirmed Egypt’s continued commitment to supporting every Egyptian woman who innovates, develops, leads, and opens new horizons for her community and country.

On the sidelines of the summit, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat toured the employment fair held alongside the event, as well as the booths of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation and the Ministry of Labor, which showcased government efforts to prepare the labor market and implement measures that stimulate economic development.