A delegation of 35 top-level executives representing U.S. companies and businesses that operate in Egypt visited Washington, D.C. during March 11-16 for AmCham Egypt’s Annual Doorknock Mission. Over the course of five days, delegates took part in 89 meetings with members of the U.S. Congress, Administration officials, think tanks, media and leaders from the U.S. business community.

During their meetings, delegates promoted dialogue on important commercial issues and shared their perspective on topics of bilateral importance, all working toward the ultimate goals of building a deeper U.S.-Egypt commercial relationship, opening new opportunities for American firms, creating jobs and improving the lives of citizens of both countries.

Policy-makers specifically commended Egypt’s proactive steps in tackling the budget deficit, including monetary and macroeconomic policy reforms. Meetings with both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank were uniformly positive about Egypt’s progress, with officials praising the government’s commitment to reforms and describing the program with Egypt as “meeting its set objectives and targets.”

Several events took place on the margins of the Mission:

• March 13: A special panel organized by the Center for Transatlantic Relations at John Hopkins University addressed “Egypt’s Private Sector in a Challenging Regional Environment.”
• March 15: AmCham Egypt Inc. hosted a special reception in honor of the visiting Doorknock Delegation. The reception, which took place at the University Club, was attended by almost 200 guests including executive branch officials, senior representatives from think tanks, Egyptian Embassy officials and different stakeholders and friends of AmCham Egypt in Washington D.C.