OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said the Egypt–OECD Country Programme has delivered 35 projects across five strategic pillars, implemented in cooperation with more than 20 Egyptian government entities, marking what he described as one of the organisation’s most ambitious partnerships.

Speaking during the closing session of the programme held under the patronage of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Cormann said the first phase of the partnership has already produced tangible results supporting economic reform, institutional strengthening and evidence-based policymaking.

He noted that the OECD is releasing two new reports, “Business Dynamics” and “Productivity Deep Dive”, which provide a comprehensive framework to enhance productivity and improve business performance across the full lifecycle of firms.

Cormann highlighted that the programme places strong emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which account for around 75% of employment in Egypt, alongside efforts to support start-ups and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

He also stressed Egypt’s demographic advantage, describing it as a young country where nearly 60% of the population is under 30, which creates significant potential for entrepreneurship and economic expansion.

On Egypt’s strategic position, Cormann said the Suez Canal handles around 15% of global trade and nearly 30% of container traffic, reinforcing the country’s role in global supply chains.

He added that the programme supports a broad reform agenda, including strengthening state-owned enterprises frameworks and developing a one-stop shop platform for businesses to improve the investment climate.

Cormann underlined the importance of advancing public governance and statistical capacity, noting ongoing efforts to develop a new statistics law aimed at improving data quality and supporting evidence-based decision-making.

He also praised Egypt’s progress in artificial intelligence strategies, highlighting the establishment of a national AI governance centre as a key milestone in digital transformation efforts.

The OECD Secretary-General said the organisation will also launch a new report on the green economy, aimed at supporting more sustainable policy frameworks and strengthening the legal and regulatory environment to boost competitiveness and investment.

He concluded that the Egypt–OECD partnership, launched five years ago, remains a cornerstone for supporting Egypt’s Vision 2030, adding that its outcomes are already contributing to stronger institutions, improved policies, and more inclusive growth.