The Swiss Embassy in Egypt, in collaboration with the Swiss Chamber of Commerce, hosted a grand celebration last night in Cairo, where it honoured Amr Moussa, former Foreign Minister of Egypt and former Secretary-General of the Arab League, during its annual “Gala 2025” dinner.
The evening brought together a distinguished audience that included H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development; Eng. Mohamed Shimi, Minister of Public Business Sector; Dr. Sameh El-Hefny, Minister of Civil Aviation; Andreas Baum, Swiss Ambassador to Egypt; and Kamal Abdel Malek, President of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce. Leaders from both public and private sectors, along with executives from Swiss and Egyptian companies, also attended the event.
During the event, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat addressed the importance of Egyptian-Swiss relations, noting that Egyptian-Swiss relations have witnessed significant development over the past years. Egypt is Switzerland’s largest trading partner in Africa, and more than 100 Swiss companies invest directly in Egypt in various sectors. She also highlighted the state’s and the ministry’s strategy to empower women at all social, political, and economic levels.
Al-Mashat noted that women currently comprise more than 65% to 70% of the ministry’s workforce and that numerous private sector initiatives are underway in this field.
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat also expressed her happiness at attending this event, saying, “I am honored to witness the honoring of the legendary Mr. Amr Moussa, who is an inspiration to us all with his ideas and creativity that make a difference and motivate us to think about the future.” The Chamber’s tribute reflected appreciation for Moussa’s long-standing diplomatic journey and strategic vision, which significantly strengthened international relations.
In his speech, Amr Moussa expressed heartfelt gratitude, thanking Ambassador Andreas Baum and Chamber President Kamal Abdel Malek for what he described as a thoughtful and meaningful gesture that speaks to the strength of mutual respect and shared values.
He also reflected on his connection to Switzerland, noting that Bern was his first diplomatic posting, and praised the country’s active role in promoting peace and stability across the globe—particularly in the Middle East, a region facing complex and ongoing challenges.
Moussa commended the Chamber’s efforts in fostering economic ties, stating, “The Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Egypt plays a vital role in deepening economic cooperation between our two countries. By supporting its members and helping them tackle challenges, it opens doors to new investment windows.”
