An intense debate took place on the occasion of the second edition of the Italy-Egypt Media Forum. The event was organised by the Embassy of Italy and discussions touched on possible political scenarios as well as the main economic challenges that await the head of State that will be chosen in the presidential elections under way.
40 Italian and Egyptian journalists
Approximately 20 Italian journalists, and an equal number of Egyptian analysts, economics and politicians, took part in the meeting. On the table were some of the crucial issues the country is facing at a moment of complex political transition, made worse by slow economic growth and large-scale youth unemployment. Discussions turned to the domestic picture, stopping on the complexity of the transition ahead of today and tomorrow’s presidential elections.
Major reforms
On the economic front, attention was focused mainly on the major reforms that Egypt will have to undertake to foster long-term growth and favourable investment conditions. The country is facing sluggish economic growth, with increasing unemployment and rising inflation, along a with stagnant per capita income.
The urgency was stressed of adopting policies and programmes aimed at generating jobs over the short-term, especially among young people – a situation that will, nevertheless, require strong political commitment by the new Egyptian leadership to undertaking the necessary structural reforms that will make it possible to develop the private sector and attract foreign investors, who are watching the political transition closely.
