Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Mohamed Farid Saleh, held high‑level talks with Brazilian and Chinese officials during the 16th BRICS Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Jaipur, India, as Cairo seeks to expand its global trade footprint and attract new investment.
In a bilateral meeting with Brazil’s Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services Marcio Fernando Elias Rosa, discussions centred on boosting trade volumes and opening new markets for Egyptian exports. Minister Rosa described Egypt as a gateway to Africa, while Brazil could serve as Egypt’s entry point to South America. Both sides agreed to broaden trade beyond basic commodities and strengthen government‑level co-operation.
Brazil showcased its experience in biofuel technologies, including sustainable aviation fuel and marine biofuels. Talks explored positioning Egypt as a regional hub for low‑carbon ship fuel, particularly for vessels transiting the Suez Canal. Cairo will receive a technical proposal from Brazil, with Farid suggesting a video conference involving the Suez Canal Authority and Egypt’s petroleum ministry to examine feasibility.
Farid also highlighted investment opportunities in Egypt’s oil and gas sector, proposing meetings with Petrobras and other Brazilian firms. Plans include a joint workshop between APEX Brasil and its Egyptian counterpart to promote trade and investment. Both ministers stressed the need to revive the Egypt–Brazil Business Council, ensuring active participation from entrepreneurs committed to building partnerships.
Boosting trade with China
Minister Farid also met Li Chenggang, China’s Vice Minister of Commerce, to mark 70 years of diplomatic ties. Talks reviewed preparations for President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to Egypt, during which new memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed. China confirmed the rollout of full tariff exemptions for African imports from May 2026, with Egypt aiming to maximise benefits under the AfCFTA framework.
Li invited Egyptian firms to join the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, while reaffirming support for Egypt’s participation in the China International Import Expo (CIIE). Farid outlined opportunities for Chinese investment in Egypt’s textile sector, particularly the revamp of Misr Spinning and Weaving Company in Mahalla, backed by Egypt’s sovereign wealth fund.
Egypt’s exports to Brazil rose from $455million in 2021 to $1.27billion in 2025, a 179 per cent increase, with total bilateral trade reaching $5.83billion. Meanwhile, Egypt–China trade hit $19.52billion in 2025, underscoring the depth of ties.
Farid said the next phase will focus on value‑added exports, local manufacturing, and supply chain integration, reinforcing Egypt’s role as a regional trade hub.
