Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates, met Michael Kremer, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics at the World Bank Group, in the presence of Dr. Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development. The foreign minister congratulated the World Bank official on taking up the post, expressed appreciation for his contributions to supporting the development agenda in developing countries, and affirmed Egypt's readiness to strengthen close cooperation with the World Bank Group in economic development.

Minister Abdelatty praised the close coordination between Egypt and the World Bank Group, particularly following the completion of the second phase of the Development Policy Financing programme, and said he looked forward to completing the programme's third and final phase. He also outlined the national economic transformation programme Egypt is preparing for the next stage, which builds on the reforms already implemented to boost the Egyptian economy's competitiveness and resilience, cement the private sector's role as the main driver of growth, increase exports, create jobs and improve living standards.

The minister also highlighted the state IPO programme and efforts to manage state-owned companies as key pillars for increasing private-sector participation in economic activity, and expressed appreciation for the technical support and capacity-building programmes the World Bank Group provides to support economic reform and improve the investment climate.

The meeting also discussed opportunities to expand cooperation with the World Bank Group in food security, agricultural technology and raising soil productivity, to support the development of the agricultural sector, improve resource efficiency, strengthen the ability to meet food-security challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Dr. Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, also commended the World Bank Group's support for the state's efforts to implement its economic reform programme and advance sustainable development, including support for national projects.