CAIRO – Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan el-Khatib said Tuesday historic and fraternal bonds between Egypt and Bahrain form a solid foundation for strong economic and investment partnerships.
The minister of investment pointed out that Bahrain is one of Egypt’s key investment partners, with Bahraini investments in Egypt reaching around dlrs 450 million in 2024, distributed across more than 237 companies operating in diverse sectors including finance, industry, tourism, services, and real estate, as the volume of trade exchange between the two countries in the same year amounted to about dlrs 35.27 million.
During Khatib’s inauguration of the Egypt-Bahrain Business Forum, held in Cairo with the participation of Noor bint Ali AlKhulaif, Bahrain’s Minister of Sustainable Development and CEO of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, Bahrain’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Ahmed Kouchouk was, Egypt’s Minister of Finance, along with heads of authorities, business leaders and investors.
The minister welcomed the Bahraini delegation of government leaders, businessmen and investment institutions to this important forum, witnessing high-level participation from both countries, reflecting the depth of bilateral relations and their distinctive, strategic partnership.
Khatib noted that Egypt has undergone a profound transformation in its development path, ranking first in Africa and ninth globally in attracting foreign direct investment inflows in 2024.
The State aims to build on these achievements by continuing reforms designed to create a more attractive environment for business and investment, in line with its strategy to place Egypt among the world’s top 50 countries in investment and trade competitiveness indices within the next two years, he said.
The minister also said, Egypt is now more ready than ever to welcome global capital and expertise, as its strategic location and extensive network of free trade agreements make it a key gateway to vast regional and African markets. This opens wide horizons for Bahraini investments seeking expansion.
Khatib further highlighted that Bahrain’s economy, with its advanced expertise in financial services, energy and specialized industries, represents an ideal partner for enhancing economic integration with Egypt, paving the way for innovative investment projects that boost trade exchange, support sustainable development plans, and create broad opportunities for cooperation in industry, renewable energy, and the digital economy.
The minister stressed that joint action between the two countries affirms unprecedented investment opportunities for sustainable growth, noting that the state is accelerating comprehensive development across many promising projects, foremost among them the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the New Administrative Capital and major ongoing infrastructure projects.
Khatib voiced Egypt’s keenness on seeing stronger Bahraini investment participation in seizing these opportunities, contributing to enhancing the leadership of both countries as key hubs for regional development.
He added that this forum represents a new starting point in the course of strategic cooperation between Egypt and Bahrain, reflecting the depth of the strong fraternal relations between the two countries, based on mutual trust and a shared vision for sustainable development. He stressed that the forum extends a long track record of successful partnerships that underscored the role of the private sector in both nations as a key driver of economic growth.
The minister called for holding the forum on a regular basis, emphasizing the importance of continued direct communication between both sides through ministries and relevant agencies to reach constructive economic agreements.
Khatib concluded by extending sincere thanks to Bahrain – its leadership, government and people – for their genuine efforts to advance bilateral cooperation, expressing his hope that this forum would be a new step toward deeper and more prosperous partnerships between the two brotherly countries.
