The Foundation established its first Medical and Social Development Centre in Mokattam, Cairo, offering free medical and health services.

The guests included former Presidents, Ministers, Ambassadors, U.S. Congress members, international organization chairs, heads of think tanks, business leaders, and distinguished scholars from Europe, the Middle East, the United States, and Asia.

Gabr has previously served as the Chairman of the COMESA (Common Market for East and South Africa) Business Council and a member of the Executive Board of the International Chamber of Commerce (Paris).

Shafik Gabr

M. His efforts to promote a positive image of the Middle East and bridge cultural divides have positioned him as a global economic and cultural leader. In May 2016, Gabr was awarded the College of Mount Saint Vincent’s Saint Vincent de Paul Award and Drew University’s Peacebuilder Award. Initiatives include free medical caravans in Greater Cairo and support for the Mokattam Medical and Social Development Center.

In addition to his local efforts, Gabr is a staunch advocate of cross-cultural dialogue.

He leverages art to foster cultural understanding between the East and West.

Recently, Gabr has invested in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, ensuring ARTOC remains a forward-thinking industry leader.

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Mohammed Shafik Gabr, an Egyptian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and art collector, has left an indelible mark on global business and cultural diplomacy through his visionary leadership and multifaceted ventures.

Building a business empire

Born on November 1, 1952, in Cairo, Egypt, Gabr is the Chairman and Managing Director of the ARTOC Group for Investment and Development, which he has transformed into a diversified conglomerate with interests in infrastructure, oil and gas logistics, construction, and technology.

Under his leadership, ARTOC has ventured into cutting-edge industries like artificial intelligence and machine learning, showcasing his commitment to future-oriented growth.

Furthermore, Gabr was a founder of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt in 1982, serving as its first Egyptian President from 1995 until 1997, and was a Founding Member of the Wilson Global Advisory Council.

Gabr has been recognized among the “Most Influential Arabs” and “Top 50 Business Leaders in the Arab World.” In 2009, Mr.

Gabr was presented with the Foreign Policy Association’s (FPA) award for Corporate Responsibility.

Gabr has invested in a wide spectrum of technology companies, ranging from startups to fully mature companies, and in many sectors in between. In June 2014, Mr. Gabr was awarded the Meridian Global Citizen Award, and in November 2014, the Middle East Institute’s Visionary Award. He has also championed regional economic development through organizations like the COMESA Business Council and was the first Egyptian president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (1995–1997).

Philanthropy and social impact

Gabr’s philanthropic efforts are channeled through the Shafik Gabr Social Development Foundation, which focuses on education, healthcare, and cultural programs for underprivileged communities.

Shafik Gabr, Chairman and Managing Director of the ARTOC Group for Investment & Development, is a renowned leader in international business, one of the world’s premier collectors of Orientalist art, and an accomplished philanthropist.

Mr Gabr is the Chairman and a founding member of Egypt’s International Economic Forum, member of the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum and serves on Yale University President’s Council on International Activities.

In 2012, Gabr established the Shafik Gabr Foundation in the U.S., which supports educational and medical initiatives and, in November 2012, launched the ‘East-West: The Art of Dialogue’ initiative (see www.eastwestdialogue.org), promoting exchanges between young emerging leaders from the U.S. and Egypt with the purpose of cultural dialogue and bridge-building.

Additionally, his perspectives on international business, investment trends, and cultural diplomacy have been featured in interviews with global media outlets such as Bloomberg, CNBC, BBC, Al-Horra and many more. His collection underscores cultural connections between the East and the West, aligning with his broader mission to promote mutual understanding through art and dialogue.

Embracing innovation

In recent years, Gabr has ventured into technology, particularly in artificial intelligence and machine learning, reflecting his forward-thinking approach to business.

Through these platforms, Gabr has highlighted his extensive work on cross-cultural dialogue and offered perspective on world markets and geopolitics.

Through the Shafik Gabr Social Development Foundation, Gabr is helping to improve elementary-school education in Egypt, introducing students to arts and culture, and promoting sports and physical fitness for youth.

Most recently, in November 2024, Gabr was awarded the highest honor conferred upon foreign nationals by the President of Italy: the ‘Grande Ufficiale’ (Grand Officer) of the ‘Ordine della Stella d’Italia’ (Order of the Star of Italy) for his extraordinary achievements and merit.

Since 2016, Gabr has focused his attention on innovation and investment in technology, as well as his Foundations.

He also served on the advisory boards of Zurich Financial Services and The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Shafik Gabr’s contributions and insights have been the subject of numerous articles, including some published in Egypt Independent. Gabr is on the Advisory Board of the Centre for Financial Stability, the Advisory Board of The Middle East Institute, and the Global Advisory Council of the Mayo Clinic.