The World Bank Group Leads the Organization of the Seminar “Multilateral Development Projects: Procurement Readiness and Business Opportunities in Egypt”, in Partnership with Development Banks and African Federation for Construction Contractors’ Associations (AFCCA), Federation of Arab Contractors (FAC), Federation of Contractors in Islamic Countries (FOCIC), Egyptian Federation for Construction and Building Contractors (EFCBC), and with broad Private Sector Participation
The World Bank Group led the organization of the seminar entitled “Multilateral Development Projects: Procurement Readiness and Business Opportunities in Egypt” (MDP-PRO-Egypt), which was held in Cairo on 2 February 2026, in partnership with a number of Multilateral Development Banks, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the New Development Bank (NDB).
The seminar was organized in cooperation with regional contractors’ federations, within the framework of supporting procurement readiness and enhancing private sector participation in internationally financed development projects.
The seminar witnessed broad participation from the private sector, with a large number of Egyptian construction companies and consulting firms in attendance, alongside foreign and Lebanese companies operating in the Egyptian market. This provided a practical platform for direct dialogue, professional networking, and the exchange of expertise regarding business opportunities and procurement pathways within Multilateral Development Banks.
The event also featured high-level governmental participation, reflecting the Egyptian State’s strong commitment to active engagement and maximizing the benefits of development financing opportunities. Among the distinguished attendees were H.E. Eng. Mohamed Shimi, Minister of Public Business Sector, and H.E. Dr. Sayed Ismail, Deputy Minister of Housing.
In addition, H. E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, participated through a recorded message delivered as part of the seminar’s proceedings.
The seminar was further distinguished by the presence of H.E. Ms. Gallina Andronova Vincelette, Vice President of the World Bank Group for Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS), and Mr. Stéphane Guimbert, World Bank Country Director for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti, adding significant momentum to the discussions and reinforcing the seminar’s key messages on enhancing private sector engagement and strengthening competitiveness and transparency in internationally financed projects.
The seminar addressed a set of practical themes aimed at enhancing the readiness of construction companies and consulting firms to compete for international tenders, including:
- An overview of business opportunities and procurement pathways in projects financed by Multilateral Development Banks.
- The provision of practical guidance on preparing bids and proposals, with a focus on recent updates to procurement policies and procedures.
- A discussion of common challenges and mistakes faced by bidders, and best practices to avoid them, thereby improving the quality of participation and increasing success rates.
The seminar underscored the importance of institutional partnerships between Multilateral Development Banks, professional federations, and the private sector, as a practical platform linking development finance with government priorities and the implementation capacities of companies, while supporting direct dialogue and broadening participation.
The seminar was attended by a delegation representing the regional federations involved in its organization, foremost among them Eng. Hassan Abdelaziz, President of the African Federation for Construction Contractors’ Associations (AFCCA) and Honorary President of both the Federation of Arab Contractors (FAC) and the Federation of Contractors in Islamic Countries (FOCIC); Mr. Sharif Wahbi, Vice President of the Federation of Arab Contractors (FAC); and Eng. Mohamed Sami Saad, President of the Egyptian Federation for Construction and Building Contractors (EFCBC), in addition to Amb. Hatem Tageldin, Secretary General of AFCCA.
This participation reflects the collaborative efforts among these federations to support the readiness of construction and consulting companies and to enhance their access to regional and international markets.
In a statement on the occasion, Eng. Hassan Abdelaziz, President of the African Federation of Construction Contractors’ Associations (AFCCA), affirmed that the seminar represents an important practical step toward enhancing the readiness of construction and consulting companies and expanding their participation in projects financed by Multilateral Development Banks. He expressed his appreciation for the high-level governmental participation and the distinguished presence of the World Bank Group and its partners, which pave the way for more structured cooperation in the areas of capacity building, information exchange on future opportunities, and improved understanding of procurement policies and procedures, ultimately contributing to enhanced competitiveness of companies and contractors across Africa.
