October 27, 2026
FDI Center’s Conor Finnegan participated in the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Economic Forum in Cairo on October 20, 2026, contributing to the panel “Strengthening Private Sector Engagement in Investment Promotion.”
Conor joined Ahmed Zairi of AlphaYaz Advisory, Anela Karahasan of the Chamber of Economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Abdullah Çerekçi of Kale Holding, Fatima Lasiri of the Moroccan Exporters Association (ASMEX), and Tarek El Kady of KD Group. Marwa Farghali, Senior Economic Advisor at the Union for the Mediterranean, provided the opening context for the session.
The discussion explored the relationship between investment promotion and private sector engagement, including how investment promotion agencies can support companies and strengthen cooperation across the Mediterranean.
Drawing on FDI Center’s work with investment promotion agencies, Conor highlighted their role in connecting the public and private sectors throughout the investment process. An effective agency provides a point of contact for companies, helping them navigate the investment environment while bringing investor needs and perspectives into discussions with public institutions.
Conor stated that central to this approach is treating companies as customers. This requires agencies to manage investor relationships from initial engagement through establishment and ongoing operations. Their responsibilities extend beyond facilitating approvals to understanding business requirements, coordinating support and maintaining relationships as investors’ needs evolve.
Conor also discussed how regional cooperation can strengthen investment attraction across the Mediterranean. A coordinated approach can help countries identify opportunities to develop regional supply chains and attract complementary investments. Looking beyond individual national markets can support a broader investment proposition, connecting business opportunities across borders and strengthening links between economies.
For investment promotion agencies, this means considering both the needs of individual investors and the wider relationships that shape investment decisions, including access to suppliers, partners and neighboring markets.
FDI Center extends our thanks the Union for the Mediterranean for the invitation and to the fellow panelists for the exchange of perspectives.
