French Finance Minister Michel Saban said the Egypt Economic Development Conference, to kick off in Sharm el Sheikh on Friday, is an important indicator of Egypt's return to the international economic arena.
In statements to MENA before traveling to Sharm el Sheikh to take part in the conference, the minister said 30 French companies operating in the transport, energy, finance, construction and communications domains will take part in the event.
He said he will carry a message of friendship from President Francois Hollande during the conference's opening session.
He said cooperation between Cairo and Paris aims in the first place at achieving prosperity of Egyptians through transport and renewable energy domains. It also aims at improving infrastructure and boosting agricultural and tourism sectors, he added.
He lauded the reforms the Egyptian government has introduced to encourage both local and foreign businessmen to invest their money in the Egyptian market.
He said France is ready to take part in Suez Canal project and that President Hollande plans to attend the opening ceremony.
He said instability that ensued the January 25 revolution has slowed down economic cooperation between the two countries that stood at 2.6 billion euros before the revolution but now there is an improvement in trade and economic cooperation, he added.
Source: MENA