Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk affirmed that bilateral relations between Egypt and Switzerland are witnessing accelerated and sustainable growth, reflected in the strong presence of major Swiss companies and their longstanding institutions, whether those with a historical legacy in Egypt or newly established businesses. He added: “The bilateral relations between the two countries have become an active and central part of the national economy through the contribution of Swiss companies to enhancing supply chain efficiency, injecting investments, and creating sustainable job opportunities that drive comprehensive development”, Invest-Gate reports.

Swiss Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala 2026

These remarks came during the annual gala organized by the Swiss Chamber in Egypt for 2026, held at the residence of the Swiss Ambassador under the theme “Two Nations… One Shared Impact – A Legacy Beyond Generations.” The event brought together senior government officials, diplomats, business leaders, founding partners, and members of the Egyptian and international business communities to celebrate the longstanding economic partnership between Egypt and Switzerland and reinforce the shared commitment to sustainable development, responsible leadership, and long-term cooperation.

During his speech, the Minister of Finance added: “We renew our assurance to the business community and private sector on both sides that the Egyptian state places empowering the private sector at the top of its priorities and firmly believes that it is the main driver of growth, innovation, and building a sustainable economy. Finally, I am truly delighted to be part of this exceptional evening celebrating a distinguished economic figure such as Dr. Youssef Boutros Ghali, and I personally take pride in being among those who benefited from his extensive knowledge and long-standing expertise in finance and economic affairs.”

In this year’s edition of the gala, the Swiss Chamber in Egypt had the honor of hosting Dr. Youssef Boutros Ghali, economist and former Minister of Finance, as the honored figure of the year. He was awarded the Swiss Chamber  in Egypt Distinguished Leadership Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to shaping economic policies and financial reform in Egypt during his tenure as Minister of Finance.

Wide Governmental and Diplomatic Participation

The gala was also attended by Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy; Ambassador Dr. Andreas Baum, Swiss Ambassador to Egypt; Prof. Dr. Hisham Azmy, Chairman of the Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority; Dr. Tarek El Houby, Chairman of the National Food Safety Authority; Ahmed Omran, Head of the Egyptian Customs Authority at the Ministry of Finance; Dr. Rasha Abdel Aal, Head of the Egyptian Tax Authority at the Ministry of Finance; Dr. Abdel Aziz El Sherif, Head of the Egyptian Commercial Service; Prof. Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport; Dr. Sherif Saleh, President of Port Said University; and Eng. Kamal Abdel Malek, Chairman of the Swiss Chamber in Egypt, in addition to a distinguished group of diplomats, public institution representatives, and private sector leaders.

The event also featured speeches by Ambassador Dr. Andreas Baum and Eng. Kamal Abdel Malek, alongside interventions from executives of major Swiss companies operating in Egypt, who highlighted their long-term investment experiences and contributions to supporting Egypt’s economic development.

Since 2024, the Swiss Chamber in Egypt has been keen on honoring prominent Egyptian figures through its annual gala. This year, the Chamber granted the Distinguished Leadership Award to Dr. Youssef Boutros Ghali in recognition of his impactful contributions to developing economic policies and financial reform in Egypt during his tenure as Minister of Finance, in addition to his continued role in supporting Egypt’s economic development journey.

Emphasizing the Strength of Egyptian-Swiss Economic Relations

Reaffirming the strength of Egyptian-Swiss relations and the historic role of Swiss companies in Egypt, Ambassador Dr. Andreas Baum, Swiss Ambassador to Egypt, stated: “This partnership has gained additional momentum through the convening of the Joint Economic Committee in Bern and the Egyptian-Swiss Economic Forum here in Cairo, both of which represented important milestones in bilateral relations. Dialogue has become stronger and more structured, which has translated into greater practical engagement from the private sector. Ultimately, the private sector remains the key driver of growth, innovation, and job creation.”

For his part, Eng. Kamal Abdel Malek, Chairman of the Swiss Chamber of Egypt, emphasized the Chamber’s role in strengthening bilateral cooperation and the importance of hosting the annual gala, saying: “For decades, Egyptian-Swiss relations have represented a model of responsible partnership and sustainable legacy. Together, we have contributed to supporting economic development, industrial progress, education, healthcare, and social impact. This year marked another important milestone in our shared journey, as we successfully organized, with the support and guidance of the Swiss Embassy, the first Egyptian-Swiss Economic Forum, an initiative that complements the many activities and platforms we continue to develop together. As part of our ongoing tradition, tonight we celebrate individuals and institutions that have made a real impact through leadership, reform, and community contribution.”

Community Support and Growing Swiss Investments in Egypt

The gala also reflected the Swiss Chamber  in Egypt’s broader commitment to social responsibility and humanitarian impact, as part of the event’s proceeds was allocated to support Al Nas Hospital, one of the leading charitable medical institutions providing free, high-quality medical and surgical services to thousands of patients annually. This initiative underscores the Chamber’s belief that sustainable business leadership should contribute positively to society beyond economic performance alone.

The event also featured participation from a distinguished group of CEOs and prominent speakers who shared valuable insights and expertise from their respective sectors, including Ahmed Hammad, Chairman of ABB Egypt; Khaled El Dokani, CEO of Lafarge Egypt – Holcim; Jihan El Morr, Chairperson of Novartis Egypt; and Stefano Mazzoni, General Manager of Roche Pharmaceuticals in Egypt. The gala was also attended by senior executives and business leaders, including Todd Wilcox, CEO and Deputy Chairman of HSBC Egypt, and Adham El Mahdy, General Manager of Geocycle.

The Swiss Chamber in Egypt continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening Egyptian-Swiss economic relations and supporting strategic dialogue between senior government officials and business community leaders. Switzerland is among the top ten investing countries in Egypt, with bilateral trade volume reaching approximately USD 2.3 billion in 2025. More than 500 Swiss companies currently operate in the Egyptian market, providing over 25,000 direct job opportunities and making tangible contributions to Egypt’s economic growth and industrial development.

As Egypt continues to strengthen its position as a regional hub for investment, innovation, and industry, the Swiss Chamber  in Egypt reaffirms its commitment to supporting further bilateral cooperation, sustainable economic partnerships, and impactful initiatives that reinforce the long-standing historical ties between the two countries.