Egypt committed to strengthening industrial coop. with S. Africa: Transport min.

CAIRO- Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel el-Wazir asserted Egypt’s commitment to strengthening industrial cooperation and integration with South Africa, particularly in the automotive sector and iron and steel industries.

Speaking during his meeting with South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau and his accompanying delegation, Wazir highlighted the goal of elevating industrial and trade cooperation between the two countries to match the strong bilateral relations that have historically united them.

He underscored the deep-rooted friendship between Egypt and South Africa, based on a long history of collaboration across multiple sectors.

The minister explained that enhancing joint industrial cooperation is a critical step before expanding trade relations, through establishing integrated industrial projects between the two nations.

Wazir directed the formation of a joint working team from both ministries, including Egypt’s international relations officer, head of the industrial affairs sector and a representative from the Egyptian Federation of Industries to coordinate and define areas for industrial cooperation in ways that benefit both economies. 

Wazir asserted Egypt’s keenness, under President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, on developing cooperation frameworks with African nations, particularly in industry and transport, to promote regional integration and enhance value-added chains across the continent. 

He emphasized that Egypt and South Africa possess the industrial and human capacity to form a strong industrial and commercial hub supporting sustainable development in Africa.

For his part, Tau expressed South Africa’s commitment to strengthening ties with Egypt and building on the countries’ close relations. 

He highlighted his ministry’s interest in developing logistics cooperation and addressing challenges facing the shipping line between the two countries to facilitate trade.