Largest US business delegation ever visits Egypt

Representatives from over 60 US companies wrapped up today a two-day visit to Egypt described as the largest such delegation in history that aimed to explore potential businesses to boost the country's ailing economy.
But critics say the visit strikes the wrong tone amid a government crackdown on freedoms.
Delegates to the conference, organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, stayed clear of politics. During a two-hour meeting with President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, they listened to his vision for improving the economy and the pressures he faces from a disgruntled and demanding population.
The delegation includes a personal envoy from US Secretary of State John Kerry, Ambassador David Thorne. Ahead of the visit, Kerry said a critical component of Egypt's success is economic growth driven by policy reform, a message the delegation will deliver to Egyptian authorities.

The visit coincided with an ultimatum by authorities given to civil groups to register under a restrictive law that was drafted under the regime of Hosni Mubarak, or face shutdown and prosecution.
The deadline passed with authorities taking no immediate action. The groups say the deadline still hangs over their head, and is a threat to their work which deals mostly with government violations and crackdown.

"Egypt is suffering the most ruthless crackdown in decades but John Kerry is busy promoting US business there," Kenneth Roth, executive director of the New-York based Human Rights Watch, wrote on Twitter ahead of the visit.

His organization closed its offices in Cairo earlier this year, citing concerns over the crackdown, after failing to register.
Egyptian authorities have also rounded up thousands of protesters and supporters of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, who was ousted last year by the military led by el-Sissi, after popular protests accusing him of monopolizing power.
"We all recognize that this country has been through turmoil and we recognize that the economy is challenged," said Gregroi Lebedev, a senior member of the Board of the Directors of the Chamber of Commerce and co-leader of the delegation.
"I think the size of the delegation reflects the fact there was a prospect of change and reform and let's go see for ourselves what those prospects are because we would like to be a part of that solution if we can and we certainly want to be part of long term growth.