Fellows with Mr. Hisham El Khazindar, the co-founder and Managing Director of Qalaa Holdings.
The Gabr Fellows continue their eye-opening and intensive Egyptian journey. On Sunday, September 24, they began their day at ARTOC HQ, where Dr. Noha Bakr, professor of political science at the American University in Cairo (AUC) and former Deputy Minister of International Cooperation, spoke about the economic-political matrix of the Egypt-US relations, and provided an overview of U.S. aid to Egypt and the region and the current dynamics.
Next, Dr. Hossam Badrawi, politician and former secretary general of NDP and activist, addressed the 2017 Fellows on political transitions and the dynamics between civil society, NGOs, the government, and the military.
After that, the Fellows moved to the Four Seasons Nile Plaza and the offices of Qalaa Holdings where they had a session with Mr. Hisham El Khazindar, the co-founder and Managing Director of Qalaa Holdings, on driving sustainable economic growth and the challenges and opportunities, and Mr. El Khazindar's experience building his business and investments in the changing economic and political contexts and their effects on various industries and sectors.
Mr. El Khazindar's session was followed by a discussion with H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Anis Salem, the Head of Development Works, on Egypt’s role in the Middle East regional order, such as with current events in Iraqi Kurdistan, Yemen, and Libya.
Dr. Ismail Serageldin, the former Executive Director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, travelled from Alexandria in the heavy Cairo traffic to ARTOC HQ to discuss with the 2017 Fellows the pluralistic societies of tomorrow and the value of cultural diversity.
To conclude the day of impressive speakers, Mr. Hisham Ezz El Arab, the chairman and Managing Director of CIB Bank and the chairman of the Banking Federation, discussed with the 2017 Fellows the status of Middle East financial markets and the future of banking.
Before going back to their hotel situated along the Nile river in the heart of Cairo's downtown, the Fellows had a session with Mr. M. Shafik Gabr, who explained the importance of the Fellows’ action projects and ensuring they continue the Fellowship experience after their trips in Egypt and the US.