Sisi, whose image can be seen all over Egypt on various items, instills fear in his opponents who worry about the return of military rule. However, many investors and Egyptians see him as a beacon of hope after years of political unrest following the Arab Spring. Despite his controversial removal of Egypt's first democratically-elected president, Mohamed Mursi, Sisi is seen as a stabilizing force. Investors believe that while the country may not be very democratic under his rule, their investments will be safer. Sisi's popularity makes him a likely candidate to win the upcoming presidential elections, but he will need to address the country's economic challenges. Known for his decisiveness, many Egyptians see Sisi as the leader who can bring stability and prosperity to the country. Western investors also see him as a strong and supported leader. 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 president's suit, but he believes that investors will appreciate this change. He mentioned that in the West, the election of a former army officer as the leader of a developing country may evoke negative connotations of a dictator rather than a reformer. However, he emphasized the need for a strong leader in Egypt to maintain law and order, which is beneficial for investment and the economy. He made these remarks at the Cairo stock exchange, highlighting the importance of a strong leader in the country. Throughout history, generals who entered politics have had varying reputations, with George Washington being seen as a respected and skilled statesman. Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, who took power in 1973 after overthrowing an elected government, implemented economic reforms but was widely criticized for human rights abuses. Security forces cracked down on pro-Brotherhood activists in Egypt after President Mursi was ousted, leading to a decline in the Islamist movement. Despite challenges such as high debt and a weak currency, Egypt has received significant financial aid from Gulf allies, leading to improvements in infrastructure and economic stability. Foreign direct investment remains low, but there have been some recent investments from companies like Samsung and Coca-Cola. FDI amounted to $3 billion in the year ending June 2013, which was $1 billion less than the previous year when Egypt was facing turmoil. Before the 2011 revolution, Egypt was attracting around $8 billion in net FDI annually. With Egypt's stock market performing well and the global economy in a better state than during Mubarak's rule, Sisi is expected to have a more favorable investment environment. However, concerns have been raised about Sisi retaining officials and policies from the Mubarak era. The political transition in Egypt is expected to be completed in 2014, but there are fears that it may result in a diluted version of the pre-revolution regime, which could impact growth and financial vulnerabilities. Sisi has not provided many details on economic policy, other than acknowledging the challenging economic conditions in a recent speech. He raised the issue of fuel subsidies costing the government $15 billion annually, a fifth of the state budget, without providing a clear solution. These subsidies, in place for fifty years, use up foreign currency that could be used to pay debts and improve payment terms for investments. Investment minister Abdel Nour suggested that Sisi might use his popularity to make tough decisions to reform the economy and address fiscal issues. Arabtec, a Dubai company, signed a $40 billion deal to build homes in Egypt, indicating potential Gulf investment in the country's infrastructure. Gulf companies, often state-backed or family-run, may be more willing to invest in Egypt compared to Western firms due to their cohesive shareholder base. Western investors, concerned about violence, are more short-term focused, while Gulf investment has boosted confidence. The debate remains on whether an IMF loan with stringent budget reforms is the solution. Legal barriers, not international agreements, may be hindering Western companies from investing in Egypt. Moheb Malak, an economist based in Cairo at Prime Securities, stated that legislation is just as essential as subsidy reform, even though it is not receiving as much attention. A proposed investment law is aimed at preventing third parties from disputing contracts between the government and an investor, with the goal of attracting more investment. These clauses are meant to reassure investors who have been hesitant due to previous legal challenges to such agreements, which have left some companies in a state of legal uncertainty after being sold by the government. Malak emphasized that while Egypt may need a strong leader, it also needs to make significant improvements to its investment policy.