Sisi's image, seen on posters, t-shirts, and even chocolates across Egypt, instills fear in his opponents who worry about the return of a military leader as president. However, to investors and many Egyptians, Sisi represents a chance for stability after years of political unrest following the Arab Spring. Despite being the one to overthrow Egypt's first freely-elected president, Mohamed Mursi, Sisi is viewed as a beacon of hope for economic and political calm. He is expected to run for president and win due to his popularity, and his reputation for making bold decisions is appealing to Western investors. Sterne stated that whatever it may be, it signifies stability. Egyptian industry and investment minister Mounir Fakhry Abdel Nour acknowledged that Western governments may be cautious of Sisi's transition from military attire to a business suit as president, but he believes that investors will appreciate this change. Abdel Nour mentioned that in the West, the election of a military officer to lead a developing country may be viewed skeptically, but he believes that Egypt needs a strong leader for stability. He also highlighted the importance of law and order for investment and the economy. Throughout history, generals who have transitioned into politics have been perceived differently, with George Washington being seen as a respected statesman. Augusto Pinochet, a strongman who seized power in Chile in 1973, implemented economic reforms but faced accusations of severe human rights violations. Following the overthrow of President Mursi in Egypt, security forces cracked down on pro-Brotherhood activists, leading to hundreds of casualties. Despite efforts to suppress the Islamist movement, militants in Sinai have carried out high-profile attacks. The Egyptian economy has struggled due to high debt, a weak currency, and political instability, but aid from Gulf countries has helped boost infrastructure development. Household spending in Egypt has increased, and foreign investment, though still low, is showing some signs of improvement. Coca-Cola and Samsung are among the companies making significant investments in Egypt, signaling confidence in the country's future. Foreign direct investment (FDI) amounted to $3 billion in the year ending June 2013, a decrease of almost $1 billion from the previous year, during a period of turmoil in Egypt. Prior to the 2011 revolution which ousted President Hosni Mubarak, Egypt was receiving an average of $8 billion in net FDI annually. The current state of Egypt's stock market and the global economy are more favorable compared to Mubarak's last years in power, suggesting a more favorable investment climate for President Sisi. However, concerns have been raised about Sisi retaining officials and policies from the Mubarak era, which could negatively impact growth and financial vulnerabilities. Despite appearing frequently on television, Sisi has not provided many details on economic policy, except for acknowledging the challenging economic conditions in a recent speech. He discussed the issue of fuel subsidies costing the government $15 billion annually, a fifth of the state budget, without offering a clear solution. These subsidies, in place for fifty years, deplete foreign currency that could be used to pay off debts to overseas energy companies and improve payment terms to attract investment. Investment minister Abdel Nour suggested that Sisi might be able to use his popularity to handle the public backlash from potential subsidy cuts. Arabtec, a Dubai firm, signed a $40 billion deal to construct a million homes in Egypt, indicating possible politically-motivated Gulf investment in the country's infrastructure. Western investors are more cautious due to violence in Egypt, while Gulf companies may be more easily convinced to invest. Some analysts believe that Gulf investments have encouraged Western investors to follow suit, but opinions differ on whether an IMF loan requiring tough budget reforms is the best solution. Legal barriers, rather than an international agreement to combat corruption and reduce subsidies, could be hindering Western companies from investing in Egypt. Moheb Malak, an economist based in Cairo at Prime Securities, stated that legislation is just as crucial as reforming subsidies, even though it is not receiving as much attention. A proposed investment law is being drafted with the goal of preventing third parties from disputing contracts between the government and an investor, in order to attract more investment. These clauses are meant to reassure investors who have been hesitant due to past legal challenges that have left companies in uncertain legal situations after being sold by the government. Malak emphasized that while Egypt may need a strong leader, it also needs to make significant changes to its investment policy.