Government Leaders and Industry Experts Call for Building Globally Competitive Enterprises

Participants at the first executive forum for startup CEOs, organized by THOTH Consulting under the theme “Bridging the Execution Gap in Cross-Market Expansion,” emphasized that success in entering new markets is no longer determined solely by product quality or access to capital. Instead, it depends on an organization’s ability to execute its strategy effectively, build agile operating models, implement sound corporate governance, and leverage data-driven decision-making.

The forum brought together a distinguished group of CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders under the patronage of the Information Technology Industry Chamber (CIT Chamber) of the Federation of Egyptian Industries, in strategic partnership with PR+ Digital Content. Discussions focused on the challenges facing Egyptian companies pursuing regional expansion and the practical frameworks required to build organizations capable of sustainable growth and global competitiveness.

Dr. Ahmed Darwish, former Minister of Administrative Development, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the role of corporate governance in enabling international expansion and examining the growing impact of artificial intelligence on modern businesses.

He noted that today’s global business environment has become increasingly complex due to rapid geopolitical and technological shifts, requiring leaders with strategic vision and the ability to anticipate future trends rather than relying on reactive or short-term decision-making.

Dr. Darwish explained that customers have evolved from end-users into active partners in product and service development, making it essential for companies to continuously reassess their business models. He stressed the importance of distinguishing between strategic planning, which defines competitive direction, and strategic management, which ensures effective execution and measurable outcomes.

He further emphasized that governance has become the cornerstone of sustainable business growth, particularly for family-owned enterprises. Long-term success, he said, requires structured decision-making processes, effective risk management, internal audit systems, and strong boards and committees.

He also warned against attempting to deploy advanced technologies within outdated organizational structures, describing this mismatch as one of the primary causes of failed organizational transformation.

Addressing artificial intelligence, Dr. Darwish stressed that successful AI implementation begins with high-quality, well-governed data. The real opportunity for businesses, he argued, lies not in developing large-scale AI models, but in creating specialized solutions tailored to their operational needs and capable of improving efficiency and business performance.

For his part, Eng. Haitham Mansour, Chairman of THOTH Consulting and an expert in organizational development and entrepreneurship, stated that the gap between strategy and execution remains one of the most significant barriers to business growth and regional expansion.

He explained that having a strong strategy alone does not guarantee success unless the organization possesses an operating model capable of translating strategic objectives into measurable business results.

Many companies, he noted, mistakenly believe their strategic plans are sufficiently clear, while execution varies significantly across departments due to the absence of an integrated operating system.

Mansour added that expansion into new markets multiplies not only growth opportunities but also operational challenges, making organizational readiness a prerequisite before embarking on regional growth. Building a scalable operating model, he said, is the true foundation for sustainable expansion.

He concluded by stating that the forum was designed to help executive leaders bridge the gap between planning and execution, enabling organizations to convert strategy into measurable outcomes and strengthening the competitiveness of Egyptian companies across regional markets.

Meanwhile, Eng. Seif Badawy, Vice Chairman of the Information Technology Industry Chamber (CIT Chamber) and Chairman of SWATX Technologies, affirmed that Egypt possesses all the strategic assets needed to become a regional technology hub.

However, realizing this vision requires building strong Egyptian technology companies capable of delivering high-value products and services while expanding into international markets.

Badawy explained that the Information Technology Industry Chamber plays a pivotal role in supporting member companies by enhancing their capabilities, increasing technology exports, opening new international markets, and representing the sector’s interests before government institutions while working to develop practical solutions to industry challenges.

He noted that Egypt’s digital exports continue to achieve strong growth, reaching US$7.4 billion, including US$5.2 billion generated from outsourcing services.

Nevertheless, he emphasized that the next phase must focus on transitioning from exporting human talent alone to exporting Egyptian technology products and digital services, strengthening intellectual property, and leveraging the presence of multinational companies in Egypt to facilitate knowledge transfer and build globally competitive national champions.

Badawy added that the Chamber continues to implement initiatives supporting digital transformation across the industrial sector, helping companies obtain internationally recognized professional certifications and participate in global exhibitions and industry events, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Egypt’s ICT sector and its contribution to the national economy.

The forum concluded with a unified message from participants: the future competitiveness of companies will no longer depend solely on innovative ideas or investment capital, but on their ability to build agile operating systems, institutionalize effective governance, and cultivate data-driven leadership capable of delivering sustainable regional expansion and long-term growth.

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