In July 2007, Egypt became the 40th country to adhere to the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises. The adherents to the Declaration commit to providing national treatment to foreign investors and promoting responsible international business conduct. During this process, Egypt undertook a thorough review by OECD members of its international investment policies using the Policy Framework for Investment. This publication presents the results of this review.

One of the main findings of the review is that international investors responded quickly to the government’s policy reform efforts: foreign direct investment (FDI) into Egypt increased eightfold in just three years, diversifying away from the petroleum sector and bringing much-needed investment to a broad range of manufacturing and service industries. However, the review also shows that investment climate reforms take time and many challenges still lie ahead. These include ongoing efforts to phase out unnecessary sectoral restrictions on investment, maintaining the momentum for broadening the privatisation programme and encouraging entrepreneurship by promoting transparency, accountability and competition.

This review reflects the OECD’s mission to help all governments improve their investment climates through peer learning and the sharing of best practices.

For further information, see:

• Egypt signs the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises, 11 July 2007
• OECD Declaration and Decisions on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises
• The Policy Framework for Investment
• OECD Middle East North Africa Investment Programme www.oecd.org/mena/investment