Business Forward celebrated its first anniversary on December 3 under the umbrella theme of The DNA of Egypt’s real economy: A look forward. During the event, managing director of PICO Group Hatem El Ezzawy discussed the role of the family-owned business in spurring the economy forward and the critical need for them to undergo restructuring to become more appealing to serious investors. He also touches upon how issues in family businesses are mainly viewed via the perspective of inter-family relations, instead of the institutionalization of the business. Additionally, his talk spans the gamut of reforms needed to boost the investment environment in Egypt – particularly in the agricultural sector – including the issuance of sector-specific legislation, overhauling the current tax system and transitioning business from the informal to the formal sector.