Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir on Monday held talks with visiting Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade Jamshid Khodjaev and Uzbek Ambassador in Cairo Mansurbek Bakhtiyarova Kilichev.
The minister said Egypt is keen to strengthen ties with Uzbekistan as a leading state in Central Asia and a possible gateway for exports to the region.
The ministry is also eager to benefit from the country’s expertise in various industries, the minister added, noting the availability of investment opportunities and potential for the Uzbek business community in Egypt, which can help meet local needs and boost export with preferential advantages.
The talks come on the sidelines of the first visit by the Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Egypt, which began on Monday.
Bilateral trade in 2022 was worth $49.9 million, marking a 7 per cent rise on $46.6 million in 2021.
For his part, Khodjaev underscored keenness to advance trade, industrial and joint investment co-operation with Egypt.
Both countries are also seeking to boost bilateral educational, scientific and research ties.
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Ayman Ashour and Uzbek Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Ibrahim Abdurakhmonov held talks yesterday, an official press release.
Discussions covered mechanisms for bilateral co-operation in education and culture, the Egyptian minister said, adding that all forms of support and facilities are offered to the Uzbek students studying here.
For his part, the Uzbek minister underlined eagerness to benefit from Egyptian expertise in scientific research.
Abdurakhmonov proposed the opening a branch of an Egyptian university in his country to benefit from the expertise of Egyptian academics.
