BAGHDAD – Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel el-Wazir said Monday that Egyptian government is keen on taking part in Iraq’s development plans in various fields, in light of Egypt’s success story in working towards achieving development.
He added that Egypt has realised a milestone in all sectors, like roads, subways, railways, airports, ports, housing and projects of water and electricity.
Egypt has successfully carried out mega projects in a number of Arab and African countries, the minister said in one of his meetings with Iraqi ministers and officials during his visit to Baghdad on Monday.
Wazir’s first meeting was with Iraqi Transport Minister Razzaq Muhaibis al Saadawi, in the presence of Egyptian Ambassador to Iraq Ahmed Samir, Head of the General Authority for Roads, Bridges and Land Transport Hossam el Dien Mostafa and Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LTRA) Chairman Sayyed Metwaly.
The meeting was also attended by heads of 13 leading Egyptian firms operating in the projects of infrastructure, roads, bridges, railways, ports and housing alongside the heads of the Iraqi Republic Railways, Iraqi Land Transport Co (SILT) and General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI).
“Egypt seeks maximising its trade fleet, in accordance with directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi,” Wazir said.
“Egypt has managed to co-operate with mega global firms specialised in the domain of managing and operating airports along with attracting top global shipping lines.”
He highlighted Egypt’s comprehensive plan to upgrade its ports, with the aim of turning Egypt into a regional hub for transport, logistics and transit.
Head of the General Company for Ports of Iraq (GCPI) reviewed the vision of modernizing the system of maritime transport and projects carried out in this regard.
He also reviewed plans of the Iraqi transport ministry for partnerships with global shipping companies and consultancy offices as well as plans to maximise Iraq’s trade fleet.
The talks took up achievements of the Arab Bridge Maritime company, which is owned by Egypt, Iraq and Jordan, throughout Q1 and Q2 of the year 2024. The company is a role model of joint Arab action.
As for the land transport, the meetings tackled updates of signing a MoU between the two sides in easing the transportation of commuters and goods, with a view to boosting trade exchange between Egypt and Iraq.
Meanwhile, Wazir met with Iraqi Minister of Construction, Housing, Municipalities, and Public Works Benkin Rikan to discuss ways
of boosting co-operation between the two countries.
The meeting – which was attended by Egyptian Ambassador to Iraq Ahmed Samir – tackled the participation of Egyptian national companies in carrying out infrastructure and development projects in Iraq.
