“We want to promote around-the-clock shared prosperity in Egypt and across the region, but particularly, I say, in Egypt,” Secretary of State John Kerry said in a speech at the Egypt Economic Development Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh on March 13.
“Why do I say ‘particularly’? Egypt has always had an extraordinary business corps. Egypt has great capacity.”
Kerry said America is enthusiastic about helping Egypt’s economy grow.
“The United States of America is eager, ready and willing to be a catalyst in Egypt’s economic development, and we respect the efforts that you are already making, and we want to help you grow them,” Kerry said.
Last year, U.S. companies invested over $2 billion in Egypt and leaders from some of America’s best-known companies — Coca-Cola, Microsoft and General Electric — are speaking at the three-day conference.
As the most populous Arab country, Egypt is a hub of thinking, progress and energy.
“It has always, in my judgment, had the ability to demonstrate entrepreneurial energy,” Kerry said.
Kerry said businesses play a key role in promoting a country’s interest in today’s world.
“In the 21st century, a nation’s interests and wellbeing are advanced not just by and perhaps not even principally by troops and diplomats, but rather by entrepreneurs and executives, the forward-thinking companies,” Kerry said.
