SwissCham Hosts Gala Dinner to Advance CSR and Strengthen Swiss-Egyptian Business Ties

In an evening of elegance and exciting networking opportunities, and with the esteemed presence of Eng. Ahmed Samir, Egypt’s Minister of Trade and Industry; Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, the Minister of Public Enterprises; and Dr. Yvonne Baumann, Ambassador of Switzerland to Egypt ; The Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Egypt hosted an exceptional SwissCham 2024 Gala Dinner, featuring economic global leader Dr. Mahmoud Mohyeldin and performance by Al Nour Wal Amal. The event combines corporate social responsibility with high-level networking, fostering Swiss investments in Egypt and highlighting the importance of community giving while exploring business opportunities.

The prestigious event was also graced by the respected presence of Mr. Kamal Abdel Malek, Chairman of the Swiss Chamber in Egypt; and SwissCham board members, Mr. Ahmed Hammad, Mr. Ayman Nour, Mr. Jimmy Khan, Mr. Khaled Sabry, Ms. Karen Weick, Ms. Rana Gamali and Dr. Sherif Amin, Alongside Mrs. Sarah El Haddad, Executive Director of the Swiss Chamber in Egypt; Dr. Tarek El Houby, Head of the National Food Safety Authority; Dr. Essam El Naggar, Chairman of the General Organization for Export and Import Control; Mr. Al-Shahat Al-Ghatouri, Chairman of the Customs Authority; and His Excellency Ambassador Hisham Badr, Assistant Minister of Planning and Economic Development for Strategic Partnerships, Excellence, and Initiatives.  The event also welcomed His Royal Excellency Mohamed Ali Farouk, King Farouk I’s grandson; Mr. Mehmet Yildirimli, Senior Country Consultant Africa & Turkey at Switzerland Global Enterprise in Switzerland as well as all members of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Mr. Kamal Abdel Malek welcomed the guests with an engaging speech, expressing the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Egypt’s warm hospitality towards its friends and success partners worldwide stating, “This gala dinner is an excellent opportunity for sharing knowledge and experiences, creating a valuable network of prominent figures, investors, and diplomats. The Swiss Chamber is dedicated to fostering and attracting investments through an ambitious comprehensive development plan to overcome obstacles and encourage local and foreign investments. The global interest in investing in Egypt, a gateway to Africa, is indeed promising.”

As the event’s keynote speaker, Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin followed with a compelling speech on global economic developments and their impact on Egypt and Switzerland. He delved into global and local macroeconomic situations, discussing the challenges posed by geopolitical changes and their influence on inflation rates amidst fierce global market competition. Dr. Mohieldin stressed the importance of collaborative efforts and innovative thinking to achieve growth and address the current economic crises.

From her side, Ambassador Yvonne Baumann mentioned that this year marks the 90th anniversary of the Swiss-Egyptian Friendship Treaty and highlighted that from the arrival of the first Swiss Pilgrims in Egypt in the Middle Ages through today, the relations between Switzerland and Egypt grew and diversified over time, with trade and investment being at the forefront. She underlined that today, Egypt is Switzerland’s biggest trade partner on the African continent, and Switzerland is among the top 10 investors in Egypt. For the immediate future, Ambassador Baumann announced the establishment of a Swiss-Egyptian Joint Economic Commission.

Furthermore, at the gala dinner, the Swiss Chamber of Commerce honored companies that played a key role in organizing the event, celebrating their impactful efforts in corporate social responsibility. This recognition underscores the importance of CSR as a core component of institutional work, aligning with Egypt’s comprehensive and sustainable vision.

The evening’s highlight was a mesmerizing performance by Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra whose exceptional music created an ambiance of tranquility and sophistication. The orchestra presented a diverse program of Western classical masterpieces and memorable Eastern music, using a variety of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. This orchestra, composed entirely of visually impaired women, is the first of its kind in Egypt and has successfully performed numerous concerts in Arab and European countries.

The gala also featured a showcase of products from the Kendaka  Upcycling Association, which specializes in upcycling glass into beautiful artistic creations. These unique glass products are crafted by skilled women from marginalized communities throughout Egypt, highlighting their talent and creativity.