The Center for International Economic Relations (CIER) is one of the core scientific centers supporting the Institute of National Planning (INP) in fulfilling its mission and strategic objectives. The center conducts research, advisory, educational, and training activities on economic policies related to Egypt’s global economic integration, including:

• Foreign trade policies and export competitiveness enhancement.
• International finance, foreign investment, and external debt management
• Balance of payments reform and international reserve management.
• Evaluation of international trade agreements, treaties, economic blocs, and global organizations.
• Exchange rate policies, international marketing, and technology transfer.
• Economics of international services in Egypt and worldwide.

Additionally, the center reviews draft laws and decisions related to these areas, providing evidence-based recommendations to policymakers.

In accordance with Article 15 of Law No. 13 (2015) regulating the INP, CIER comprises of four scientific divisions:

1. Foreign Trade and International Marketing
2. International Finance and Foreign Investment
3. Economics of International Services
4. Regional and Global Economic Blocs

The center actively contributed to the INP’s previous strategic plan (2015/16–2019/20) by implementing targeted initiatives, adopting performance indicators, and leveraging lessons from past strategic planning.

Furthermore, CIER collaborated with the Strategic Planning and Quality Assurance Committee to develop the INP’s new strategic plan (2020/21–2024/25), aligning its objectives with emerging institutional priorities.

Guided by this framework, CIER formulated its 2020/21–2024/25 Strategic Plan, anchored in the following principles:

• Translating the INP’s vision, mission, and values into the center’s operations.
• Defining strategic objectives that advance the institute’s goals.
• Implementing actionable programs to support the INP’s agenda.
• Fostering collaboration with other INP centers and domestic/international partners.
• Highlighting the center’s distinctive expertise within the INP’s scientific ecosystem.
• Ensuring active participation of academic and administrative staff in achieving institutional goals.

CIER is committed to strengthening the INP’s pivotal role in advancing sustainable development in Egypt through policy-relevant research, capacity building, and strategic partnerships.

Activities of CIER

CIER’s core activities include:

• Analyzing Egypt’s foreign trade structure, export promotion policies, and import rationalization strategies.
• Studying foreign investment flows and international financing mechanisms.
• Evaluating global services trade dynamics and Egypt’s international reserve management.
• Assessing regional/international economic integration agreements and theories.
• Contributing to social responsibility initiatives aligned with its mandate.

CIER’s Strategic Objectives

Aligned with the INP’s goals, CIER aims to:

1. Support the INP’s core activities(research, training, education, consultancy, and social responsibility) while enhancing administrative efficiency.
2. Strengthen collaboration with research institutions and think tanks to monitor regional/global developments affecting sustainable development.
3. Adapt to geopolitical and economic shifts by integrating advanced analytical and forecasting tools into research.
4. Build capacity through modern training programs aligned with technological advancements.
5. Expand partnerships with local/foreign institutions to diversify graduate programs and offer joint degrees.
6. Provide competitive consultancy services leveraging the center’s comparative advantages.
7. Promote digital transformation, governance, and quality assurance at the INP.
8. Enhance the institute’s financial sustainability by developing training, consultancy, and graduate programs.
9. Develop specialized human capital in international economics.