The discussions focused on strengthening investment and trade integration between Egypt and African countries through innovative financing mechanisms to support exporters and investors. Talks also covered leveraging the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System to facilitate transactions, reduce dependence on foreign currencies, and enhance cooperation in sectors including mining, tourism and construction.

The meeting further explored ways to strengthen Egypt’s role as a continental re-export hub, support Egyptian trade with African markets through the export trading companies programme, and review frameworks governing Egyptian capital markets.

Farid said the ministry is working to directly link investment opportunities in Egypt with African markets to help attract regional and international investment flows.

He noted that the government continues to improve investment services, streamline cross-border trade procedures, expand digitalisation and simplify processes to strengthen the business environment and support expansion across African markets.

The minister highlighted promising investment opportunities in industry, tourism, construction and mining, stressing that cooperation with Afreximbank provides important support for deepening economic integration between Egypt and other African countries while expanding financing tools and local currency settlement mechanisms.

For his part, El Maayergi reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in African financing and intra-African trade, expressing appreciation for its longstanding partnership with Egypt.

He said Afreximbank views Egypt as a strategic partner in Africa’s economic integration agenda, citing the country’s infrastructure capabilities, geographic position, and progress in digitalisation and financial services as factors reinforcing its role as a regional trade and investment hub.

El Maayergi also reviewed the bank’s initiative aimed at positioning Egypt as a continental re-export centre by leveraging the country’s network of special economic zones, free zones and logistics infrastructure. The initiative seeks to facilitate the movement of goods between Africa, Asia and Europe under preferential rules of origin within the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.

He added that Afreximbank has proposed launching a joint programme with the ministry and Egyptian export institutions to accredit a group of Egyptian export trading companies, helping consolidate and distribute Egyptian exports more effectively across African markets.

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Farid met with Alexander Osmolovsky, BUCE Chairperson, alongside senior exchange officials, to discuss ways to strengthen coordination and technical cooperation between the two sides, particularly in the fields of commodity trading systems and electronic trading technologies.

Discussions focused on enhancing institutional cooperation between the Egyptian Commodity Exchange and its Belarusian counterpart through the exchange of technical expertise, market information, and best practices related to the management and operation of electronic trading platforms.

During the meeting, the Belarusian side presented an overview of the BUCE, which is regarded as one of Eastern Europe’s largest commodity exchanges. Officials highlighted the exchange’s role in organising commodity trading and supporting trade flows, in addition to showcasing its electronic trading systems and technical services.

Farid said the meeting reflects Egypt’s broader strategy to deepen economic cooperation with Belarus and benefit from advanced expertise in digital trading technologies and electronic exchange systems.

“We are working to build an integrated economic partnership with Belarus based on trade, investment, and technology transfer,” he said, adding that coordination between the Egyptian and Belarusian commodity exchanges could contribute to the development of Egypt’s commodity trading ecosystem and create broader opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation.

The minister added that discussions also covered mechanisms for strengthening communication channels between the business communities in both countries and preparing the technical and institutional frameworks required to facilitate future trade and commodity exchange activities.

Farid stressed the importance of leveraging Belarusian expertise in the development of electronic trading systems, noting the ministry’s commitment to supporting technical cooperation, capacity building, and knowledge exchange to modernise Egypt’s commodity trading infrastructure.

He also highlighted Egypt’s strategic advantages, saying the country possesses strong capabilities to become a regional hub for trade, logistics services, and re-export activities.

For his part, Alexander Osmolovsky expressed Belarus’s interest in establishing a long-term strategic partnership with Egypt and confirmed BUCE’s readiness to exchange expertise and support knowledge transfer in electronic trading and digital platform development.

Osmolovsky added that closer cooperation between the two sides would represent an important step toward strengthening broader economic and trade relations between Egypt and Belarus, particularly in light of Egypt’s strategic geographic position and expanding logistics capabilities.

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The figures were released in a statement issued by CAPMAS on the occasion of Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s meeting with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Monday. The visit included discussions on strengthening bilateral relations and participation in the inauguration ceremony of the new headquarters of Senghor University.

According to the agency, Egyptian exports to France rose to $1.14bn in 2025, compared with $1.09bn in 2024, marking an increase of 4.6%. Meanwhile, Egyptian imports from France declined by 1.6% to $1.82bn, down from $1.85bn a year earlier.

CAPMAS said Egypt’s key exports to France during 2025 included fertilisers valued at $313m, electrical machinery and equipment at $260m, vegetables and fruit at $88.4m, organic and inorganic chemical products at $81.4m, and ready-made garments at $70m.

On the import side, Egypt’s main purchases from France included pharmaceutical products worth $290m, electrical machinery and equipment worth $260m, vehicles, tractors, bicycles and related parts valued at $207m, grains worth $152m, and dairy products, eggs, and honey amounting to $71.4m.

The agency also highlighted strong growth in bilateral investment flows. French investments in Egypt climbed to approximately $767.1m during FY2024/25, compared with $483.8m in FY2023/24, representing an increase of 58.6%.

At the same time, Egyptian investments in France rose to $398.1m during FY2024/25, up from $238.3m in the previous fiscal year, recording growth of 67.1%.

CAPMAS further noted that remittances from Egyptians working in France increased to $99.7m during FY2024/25, compared with $71.1m in FY2023/24, reflecting growth of 40.2%.

Meanwhile, remittances from French nationals working in Egypt rose to $17.7m, up from $14.1m in the previous fiscal year, an increase of 25.5%.

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Farid reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to deepening economic ties with African nations, particularly South Sudan, citing strong bilateral relations and shared development goals. He outlined Egypt’s ongoing reforms to create a more attractive investment environment, including streamlined procedures, enhanced investor services, and the one-stop-shop system, which has become a cornerstone of Egypt’s digital transformation in investment facilitation.

He welcomed opportunities for Egyptian investors in South Sudan, particularly in agro-processing, juice and concentrate production, and textile manufacturing. Farid also emphasized the role of The Sovereign Fund of Egypt in supporting joint ventures, mitigating risks, and encouraging private sector participation. He underscored Egypt’s support for regional economic integration frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, pledging technical assistance to boost intra-African trade.

Majak praised Egypt’s success in improving its investment climate, especially the one-stop-shop model, and expressed South Sudan’s interest in adopting similar reforms. He highlighted South Sudan’s promising opportunities in agriculture, food processing, and energy, supported by abundant natural resources. Majak revealed that his government is preparing to present specific projects to Egyptian investors, reaffirming South Sudan’s commitment to legislative and institutional reforms that strengthen partnerships and drive sustainable economic growth.

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The committee, which will include representatives from all affiliated entities, is tasked with the immediate coordination and implementation of digital plans to integrate services. Farid Saleh emphasised that the current global and regional developments necessitate “constant monitoring and analysis” of international trade and supply chains to ensure a stable investment climate.

The minister directed the completion of a comprehensive audit and cleanup of databases to establish a unified management framework. This initiative aims to provide accurate data to support decision-making and improve the user experience through comprehensive electronic linking between departments.

“The primary goal is to maintain the stability of the investment environment and ensure the efficient flow of services to investors and exporters, while limiting any negative repercussions that external variables may impose on economic activity,” Farid Saleh stated during an expanded meeting with ministry leadership.

The meeting included the heads of the General Authority for Investment (GAFI), the Egypt Expo & Convention Authority, the Egyptian Trade Representation Office, and the Cotton Arbitration and Testing General Organisation. Representatives from the Trade Agreements sector and the Foreign Trade Training Centre also attended to review performance indicators and work plans.

Farid Saleh also outlined mechanisms to implement cabinet decisions regarding resource conservation, including a transition to remote work for eligible sectors. He noted that this shift is intended to increase operational efficiency and institutional sustainability without compromising the quality or speed of services provided to the business community.

The minister added that the ministry is focused on monitoring developments to ensure that services for investors and exporters remain efficient and that the integration between affiliated bodies is prioritised to simplify bureaucratic processes.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the agency said the rise in the deficit was primarily driven by a sharp decline in exports, which fell by 20.3% to $3.6bn in January 2026, compared with $4.5bn a year earlier. The drop was largely attributed to lower export values across several key commodities, including fertilisers, which plunged by 47.1%, plastics in primary forms, down by 21.3%, dried legumes, down by 47.8%, and food pastes and miscellaneous food preparations, which edged lower by 0.4%.

Despite the overall decline, exports of some goods recorded notable growth. Fresh fruit exports rose by 35.1%, while petroleum products increased by 17.5%. Ready-made garments climbed by 7.3%, and iron products, including bars, rods, angles, and wires, grew by 5.6%.

On the import side, CAPMAS reported a 3.2% year-on-year decline, with total imports falling to $8.4bn in January 2026 from $8.7bn in January 2025. The decrease was mainly driven by reduced imports of petroleum products, down by 26.5%, raw materials of iron and steel, down by 10.2%, wheat, down by 11%, and plastics in primary forms, which declined by 16.4%.

However, imports of several other commodities increased, partially offsetting the overall decline. Natural gas imports rose by 3.6%, maize surged by 39.4%, passenger cars increased by 40.9%, and soybeans were up by 6.1%.

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Trade between the two countries reached approximately £2.8bn in 2025, including £1.5bn in Egyptian exports and £1.3bn in UK exports. Farid added that the United Kingdom is the second-largest foreign investor in the Egyptian market.

The minister made the remarks during his opening speech at the Climate Finance Accelerator conference, implemented through cooperation between the British Embassy in Cairo and Flat6Labs.

The event was attended by Rachel Kyte, Catherine Carr, as well as investment experts, international partners, and founders of start-ups operating in climate-aligned sectors.

In his address, Farid stressed that climate finance is no longer merely an environmental commitment, but has become a highly competitive economic issue amid rapid global shifts towards a green economy. He noted that this aligns with Egypt’s vision to enhance the competitiveness of its business environment, making it more attractive to climate-related investment and financing.

He added that these efforts are also aimed at preparing Egyptian exports to access a wider range of global markets, particularly in light of emerging carbon border adjustment mechanisms.

On climate finance, the minister emphasised the importance of integrating green investments and climate financing into the government’s annual plan, in a way that maximises the benefits of opportunities linked to the transition to a low-carbon economy.

In a related context, Farid revealed that ongoing consultations are taking place to support the access of Egyptian exports to global markets, especially in light of carbon border measures. He noted that aligning Egyptian industry with these standards is essential to preserving market share and enhancing export capacity.

He added that Egypt’s strategy aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2030, stressing that achieving this target requires coordinated efforts among national stakeholders, alongside strengthening human capital capabilities to support Egypt’s position in global carbon markets.

Farid also highlighted the importance of developing regulatory and supervisory frameworks that align with the evolving nature of climate finance. He noted that an effective system must accommodate diverse financial instruments and varying institutional capacities, while applying robust oversight methodologies to ensure that climate commitments translate into tangible economic outcomes benefiting both businesses and citizens.

He praised the outcomes of the Climate Finance Accelerator as a successful model of international cooperation in supporting the green transition by helping transform climate projects into bankable investment opportunities.

The Climate Finance Accelerator is an international initiative funded by the UK government, aimed at supporting developing countries, including Egypt, in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy. It offers an integrated package of technical and financial support, including the development of financial models, capacity building, and alignment with international environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.

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The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Mohamed El-Gouski, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI); Abdel Aziz El-Sherif; Ghada Nour, Assistant Minister for Investment and Promotion; Amani El-Wesal, Head of the Agreements and Foreign Trade Sector; Abed Mehran, Adviser to the Minister; Ahmed Badawi, Head of the Promotion Sector at GAFI; and Gomaa Madany, Head of the Central Administration for Trade Agreements.

During the meeting, both sides underscored the importance of intensifying joint efforts to achieve industrial integration and to capitalise on Egypt’s position as a strategic gateway to regional and global markets. This advantage is underpinned by Egypt’s network of free trade agreements, which provide preferential access to a wide range of international markets.

Saleh noted that discussions also addressed preparations for the seventh session of the Egyptian-Indian Joint Trade Committee, scheduled to be held in Cairo in the coming period. He highlighted ongoing government efforts to create a more competitive and attractive investment climate based on transparency, clarity, and a supportive institutional and legislative framework, alongside measures to simplify procedures and remove obstacles facing investors.

The minister pointed to Egypt’s key investment advantages, including competitive labour costs, a skilled workforce, and incentives related to land allocation. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to attracting المزيد of Indian investments and providing the necessary support, particularly as efforts continue to resolve outstanding issues faced by Indian companies operating in Egypt.

Saleh added that Egypt is keen to expand cooperation with India across a range of strategic sectors, including food security, information and communications technology, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, water desalination, renewable energy, textiles, automotive industries and components, and chemicals. These areas, he noted, offer strong potential for integration between the productive capacities of both countries.

In a move reflecting Egypt’s commitment to international partners, the minister proposed organising an expanded meeting with leading Indian companies to showcase investment opportunities, competitive advantages, and available incentives in the Egyptian market, while also addressing challenges facing their operations to ensure sustainable solutions and deeper cooperation.

For his part, Ambassador Reddy reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening frameworks for economic cooperation with Egypt, noting that the Indian business community views the Egyptian market as a promising destination across a broad range of sectors. He highlighted growing interest among Indian companies in expanding their presence in Egypt, driven by its strategic location and investment incentives.

Reddy also stressed the importance of intensifying joint efforts to achieve shared economic development goals, benefiting both economies.

Trade exchange between Egypt and India reached approximately $4.203bn in 2025, marking an annual increase of 12%. Indian investments in Egypt span several sectors, including chemicals, infrastructure, tourism and textiles. Egypt is currently seeking to attract further Indian investments in renewable energy, automotive manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, as part of efforts to deepen local production and boost exports.

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In a joint statement issued on Sunday, the three ministries said state authorities are monitoring the situation around the clock, in close coordination with relevant bodies, export council representatives and companies operating in the export sector, to ensure swift responses and sector-specific measures in line with unfolding developments.

The statement noted that work is proceeding on several parallel tracks. These include assessing available logistical alternatives, such as shifting to sea or land freight depending on the destination market, facilitating regulatory and commercial procedures to reroute affected shipments, expanding alternative trading channels, and strengthening coordination with supply chains and retail outlets to absorb additional volumes in the domestic market without disrupting price stability.

The ministries urged exporting companies to communicate directly with the relevant authorities to report any obstacles, enabling immediate intervention and the provision of necessary technical and procedural support. Designated contact points have been assigned within each specialised body, including the General Organisation for Export and Import Control, the Holding Company for Food Industries, and the Central Administration of Plant Quarantine.

The three ministries affirmed that joint coordination will continue, with all necessary measures to be taken to safeguard the uninterrupted flow of goods, protect the interests of producers and exporters, and maintain stability in the domestic market.

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In a telephone call with his Philippine counterpart, Maria Theresa Lazaro, Abdelatty suggested the council should include private sector representatives to facilitate communication between the two business communities and drive bilateral trade forward, according to a statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Abdelatty highlighted the investment opportunities available within the Egyptian economy and affirmed the government’s commitment to attracting foreign capital and strengthening economic partnerships with Asian nations. He noted recent developments in bilateral relations and expressed a desire to upgrade cooperation frameworks in the economic, commercial, investment, and cultural sectors.

The Egyptian minister also congratulated Lazaro on the Philippines assuming the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the start of this year. Abdelatty emphasised Egypt’s interest in elevating its relationship with the ASEAN bloc, citing the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation signed by Cairo in September 2016.

The two ministers further exchanged views on regional and international developments in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. They affirmed their commitment to continued consultation and joint coordination to support regional and international security and stability, the ministry stated.

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