Egypt’s Minister of Industry, Khaled Hashem, held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 35th Annual Meeting and Business Forum of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Riga, Latvia, aimed at strengthening industrial co-operation, boosting investment and expanding trade partnerships.
Hashem met members of the EBRD Board of Directors to discuss expanding co-operation in key sectors, including energy, water, vocational training and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
During talks with Osman Çelik, Turkey’s Deputy Minister of Treasury and Finance, the two sides explored opportunities to increase Turkish investment in Egypt, particularly in export-oriented projects, and to enhance bilateral trade.
The discussions also focused on promoting joint manufacturing by identifying priority sectors where Egyptian and Turkish industrial capabilities could be integrated to produce competitive exports. These sectors include textiles and garments, engineering industries, automotive components, household appliances, chemicals, fertilisers and renewable energy.
Hashem also met Aminu Umar-Sadiq, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, to discuss strengthening investment co-operation and advancing industrial integration between Egypt and Nigeria.
The two sides reviewed opportunities for joint projects that could build on the strong relations between the two countries and support access to regional markets. Umar-Sadiq highlighted the potential for Nigeria to benefit from Egyptian industrial expertise while facilitating access to Arab and African markets.
Discussions also covered the establishment of a trade corridor between Egypt and Nigeria under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as enhanced co-operation between chambers of commerce and financial institutions to support trade finance and mitigate investment risks.
The minister’s meetings concluded with talks with Mohamed Tarek Bashir, Director of Treasury and External Finance at Morocco’s Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The discussions focused on strengthening industrial co-operation, developing financing mechanisms and supporting investment flows between the two countries. Both sides reviewed opportunities for strategic partnerships in sectors including automotive manufacturing and components, food processing and textiles.
The meeting also explored ways to activate existing trade agreements to facilitate intra-regional trade and improve access to African and international markets, with Egypt expressing its aspiration to elevate relations with Morocco to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
