By Mohamed Moussa and Ayman Roushdy
Cairo Governor Khaled Abdel Aal met on Tuesday a high-level Vietnamese delegation for co-operation talks.
The two sides discussed ways to enhance co-operation between Cairo and Hanoi in cultural, tourism, trade and programmes for heritage preservation.
Vietnamese Ambassador in Cairo Nguyen Huy Dung attended the meeting, alongside Deputy Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Southeast Asia Hazem el-Tahri.
Governor Abdel Aal confirmed that Egypt is the first Arab country to exchange diplomatic representation with Vietnam in 1963, followed by the opening of the Egyptian embassy in Hanoi in 1964.
Abdel Aal hailed the long-standing diplomatic ties binding Egypt and Vietnam, describing them as deeply rooted and historic.
The governor said that the Egyptian government is looking forward to expanding horizons of co-operation with Vietnam in various fields of mutual interest to both two peoples.
He referred to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s official visit to the Vietnamese capital Hanoi in September 2017, the first visit by an Egyptian president to Vietnam since its independence in 1945.
Abdel Aal invited Vietnamese businessmen to invest in Egypt, saying the country provides a good investment environment that is beneficial to Vietnamese capital.
The governor of Cairo stressed the Egyptian government’s aspiration for a new phase witnessing more growth and development in various fields.
Egypt is an economic and development model to be followed by all cities as it is rich in its tourism, economic, natural and environmental potentials, Abdel Aal said.
Egypt is an important industrial hub, he said, calling on all investors and capital owners in Vietnam to launch fresh development projects in different sectors across the country.
The governor went on to say that Egypt is characterised by prominent global tourist destinations, rich monuments and tourist attractions. It is the largest capital in the Middle East and Africa famous for its economic and trade boom, he said, adding that during the past few years, many giant national projects were carried out nationwide, including the New Administrative Capital, New Alamein, in addition to establishing a number of many power stations and new roads.
The governor referred to a raft of incentives and facilities, enacted by the Egyptian government to encourage investors and businesspeople.
Abdel Aal said that since President Abdel Fattah El Sisi assumed power in 2014, he gave directives for the achievement of sustainable development for Egypt in economy, trade, communications and health.
Abdel Aal said that Egypt is currently witnessing a modern, comprehensive and integrated renaissance in all fields, including the development of the road network and the establishment of new road axes across the country.