CAIRO-19th January 2026 - In a strategic move designed to reshape Egypt's agricultural landscape, the German Arab Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Egypt) organized the "Agri-Dialogue 2026" roundtable on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Kempinski Nile Hotel in Cairo. This high-level event marked the official kick-off of an ambitious, ongoing project in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, aimed at reforming and modernizing Egypt’s agricultural cooperative system by leveraging decades of German expertise. The event witnessed the participation of high-ranking government officials, parliamentarians, international organizations, and leading private sector figures, all converging to craft a unified vision that transitions the agricultural sector from traditional challenges to modern economic horizons.
Ms. Maren Diale-Schellschmidt, CEO of AHK Egypt, opened the event with a welcoming address that underscored the depth of Egyptian German relations, noting that agriculture has always been a cornerstone of Egypt's economy and social stability. She highlighted that the sector today faces new challenges requiring modern structures, strong institutions, and effective partnerships. Ms. Diale-Schellschmidt emphasized that this dialogue brings together Egyptian and German expertise to exchange practical experiences, particularly drawing on the successful German cooperative model. She noted that AHK aims through this roundtable to explore ways to strengthen institutional capacities and evolve legal and regulatory frameworks, expressing her anticipation for the concrete outcomes that will emerge from the discussions.
In his address, H.E. Counselor Mahmoud Fawzy, Minister of Parliamentary, Legal Affairs, and Political Communication, affirmed that the Egyptian state prioritizes agriculture and food security as a matter of national security. He pointed out that choosing cooperatives as the focal point of discussion reflects a deep awareness of this sector's importance as a key tool for sustainable development, especially in rural Egypt. The Minister stressed that while the cooperative movement in Egypt is historic, it requires comprehensive review and modernization, as practical reality has shown that cooperatives are not currently fulfilling their hoped-for role compared to other nations. He clarified that his Ministry plays a pivotal role in supporting societal and legislative dialogue regarding cooperative law amendments, asserting the government's openness to benefiting from successful models, primarily the German experience, to create a flexible, investment-attractive legislative environment that balances the interests of all parties.
From his perspective, H.E. Mr. Alaa Farouk, Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, presented a critical and constructive vision of the current cooperative reality, confirming the Ministry's determination to change the mental image of cooperatives from mere outlets for subsidized fertilizer distribution to active economic entities. The Minister emphasized the necessity of eliminating the chains of Intermediaries that devour farmers' profits, stating: "My ultimate goal is for the cooperative to be the entity that achieves direct benefit for the farmer, rather than leaving him hostage to the merchant or intermediary who acquires the harvest at rock-bottom prices and then sells it in the markets, realizing profit margins that may exceed fifty percent. Ultimately, injustice falls upon the farmer; therefore, the role of cooperatives must crystallize in descending to the field, unifying ranks and efforts, for only then will profit be achieved for everyone." He added that the Ministry is working in coordination with all relevant stakeholders to open a comprehensive societal dialogue to develop the law, enabling cooperatives to engage in marketing and agro-processing, noting that the current project goes beyond theoretical discussions to include tangible practical steps.
In a related context, Mr. Peter Asmussen, representative of the German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation (DGRV), presented the pioneering German experience, explaining how cooperatives in Germany evolved from individual initiatives to combat poverty into massive economic pillars serving millions of members. The German expert emphasized that the success of cooperatives depends on their economic viability, professional management, and ability to generate profits for their members, independent of direct government interference or reliance on external subsidies which might weaken their incentive for growth. Mr. Asmussen’s participation is a core component of this ongoing project; he is scheduled to conduct field visits to Beni Suef and Beheira governorates in the coming days to assess the actual state of Egyptian cooperatives. Following these visits, he will submit a detailed report containing a gap analysis and practical recommendations to the Egyptian government, serving as a roadmap for reform. This underscores that the event is not merely a passing conference, but the launchpad for a systematic development process.
The session featured extensive discussions moderated by private sector experts, addressing the issue of fragmented land holdings that hinder productivity, and how cooperatives can play the role of an "aggregator" for these holdings to enable farmers to benefit from economies of scale. Participants, including representatives from multinational companies, shared their visions on the importance of having a strong cooperative entity to engage with commercially to ensure stable and fair supply chains. The issue of financing was also debated seriously, with attendees noting that small farmers face difficulties dealing with banks, whereas a cooperative could play the role of a guarantor or financial intermediary if legislative frameworks are amended to allow this efficiently. The dialogue featured active participation from representatives of international organizations such as the FAO and the World Food Programme, who showcased their successful experiences in Upper Egypt villages and emphasized the need to transform the farmer from a mere producer into part of an integrated economic ecosystem.
The event concluded with a confirmation that the outcomes of this dialogue, along with the results of the German expert's field visits, will form the cornerstone for the draft of the new cooperative law and accompanying policies. AHK Egypt together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation and the Minister of Parliamentary, Legal Affairs, and Political Communication expressed their commitment to continuing this joint effort, ensuring that agricultural cooperatives in Egypt become a true engine for development, capable of achieving food security, raising the standard of living for farmers, and boosting Egyptian agricultural exports in global markets.
The event is held under the sponsorship of a group of leading institutions. Sponsors include Commercial International Bank (CIB), PepsiCo Egypt, and Daltex as Platinum Sponsors; El Banna Group as the Gold Sponsor; CARE Egypt as the Silver Partner; and Boosh The Bee Keeper as the In-Kind Sponsor.
Platinum Sponsors
