By Sarah Saad
Egypt’s Minister of State for Military Production Mohamed Salah Eddin Moustafa asserted his ministry’s keenness on promoting co-operation with Russian companies.
This came during his meeting with Russia’s Rosoboronexport representatives on the sidelines of the 3rd Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX 2023) at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre in Cairo.
The event ends today
The award-winning show is the only defence and security event that covers Africa and the Middle East, presenting a unique opportunity for visitors to witness the latest technology, equipment and systems across land, sea, and air.
During the meeting, the minister underlined the key role of companies and units affiliated with the Military Production Ministry in meeting the needs and demands of the Egyptian Armed Forces in terms of weapons, equipment and ammunition.
He also stressed their important role in backing government plans to achieve comprehensive sustainable development through their contribution to implementing national projects.
For their part, the Russian company’s representatives said that Rosoboronexport is currently implementing a number of joint projects in the Middle East to manufacture armoured vehicles, small arms and anti-tank weapons.
They also expressed keenness on taking part in the 2023 edition of EDEX, noting that Rosoboronexport participated in the EDEX exhibitions of 2018 and 2021.
Military ties with Bangladesh, Algeria
Moustafa also met on Wednesday general coordinator of the Bangladeshi Defence Ministry Waker-Uz-Zaman and director of the military industries in Algeria Bedawi Ghani on the sidelines of the 3rd EDEX 2023.
The meeting was held at the pavilion of the Military Production Ministry inside the exhibition centre.
Moustafa said his Ministry’s major role is to meet the Armed Forces’ demands of artillery, weapons, equipment and advanced electronic systems.
Any surplus goes to affiliated companies to go into the manufacturing of civilian products and the implementation of national and development projects, the minister said.
He briefed Bangladeshi and Algerian defence officials on military products manufactured by subsidiaries affiliated to his ministry.
The officials said they are looking forward to activating the strategic partnerships with Egypt’s Ministry of Military Production.
Links with Italy
During his meeting with director of the Italian Air Forces Logistics Command and his accompanying high-level delegation, minister discussed means of boosting bilateral ties and opening new vistas for co-operation with Italy.
The minister of military production reaffirmed the depth of ties binding Egypt and Italy, highlighting that the meeting came as part of the ministry’s efforts to localise the nuts and bolts of local industry in implementation of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s directives in this regard.
The Italian side lauded the role of the Egyptian Ministry of Military Production and its affiliated firms in promoting for investments in Egypt.
Moustafa said that his ministry is keen on upgrading all products, as well as introducing new ones in co-operation with local and international companies operating in this regard. The Italian ambassador in Cairo attended the meeting.
Promoting relations with military US firms
Minister Moustafa asserted his ministry’s keenness on promoting co-operation with US companies.
This came during his meeting with Vice President of Northrop Grumman Corporation and the company’s CEO in the Middle East and Europe, Joseph Guastella, on the sidelines of the third edition of EDEX 2023.
The minister asserted the Military Production Ministry’s keenness on localising and transferring the latest technologies in the area of military and civil industries.
Guastella said that Northrop Grumman Corporation is a multinational aerospace and defence technology company that was founded in 1994.
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