Country Profile

Lying astride trade routes linking West, East, North and South, Egypt has long been at the heart of regional and global commerce. For the past century and a half, the Suez Canal has been a major conduit for international trade, including oil. Building on decades of leadership in the Arab world, Egypt is undergoing major governmental transformation in the aftermath of the 2011 revolution. Presidential and parliamentary elections in recent years have served to stabilise the country politically, reforming the constitution and the responsibilities and scope of Egypt’s leading institutions. While 2015 was characterised by greater political stability and growth, Egypt still faces challenges. Creating jobs and building homes for its growing population and improving living standards for the poorest are among the most pressing, and closely linked to stability in the long term.

This chapter includes interviews with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi; Carlo Calenda, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Italy; and Ambassador David Thorne, Senior Advisor to the US Secretary of State. It also includes a viewpoint from Manuel Valls, Prime Minister of France.