By Abdullahi Lukman
Egypt is stepping up efforts to attract Indian manufacturers and industrial developers as it seeks to strengthen bilateral investment and expand industrial cooperation with India across key economic sectors.
The initiative was discussed during a meeting between Egypt’s Minister of Industry, Khaled Hashem, and India’s Ambassador to Egypt, Suresh K. Reddy, where both sides explored opportunities to increase investment in renewable energy, food processing, automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and electronics.
Hashem said Egypt is keen to convert its longstanding political and economic ties with India into concrete industrial partnerships by encouraging greater private-sector participation and revitalising the Egyptian-Indian Business Council.
The minister invited Indian companies, both large and medium-sized, to establish manufacturing operations in Egypt, citing the country’s strategic location, skilled workforce, extensive trade agreements and investment incentives as key advantages for investors.
He added that Egypt also aims to benefit from India’s industrial expertise to enhance local skills and deepen industrial integration between the two countries.
Hashem further called for stronger cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and the Indian Embassy to encourage manufacturers to use Egypt as a regional production and export base serving African and neighbouring markets.
He also proposed attracting Indian industrial developers to establish new industrial zones under Egypt’s industrial developer model to meet rising demand for fully serviced industrial land.
For his part, Ambassador Reddy described Egypt as a strategic destination for Indian businesses, noting that its economic reforms and geographic position have strengthened investor confidence.
He pointed to existing Indian investments, including TCI Sanmar Chemicals, as evidence of growing industrial cooperation between the two countries.
Reddy also invited the Egyptian industry minister to participate in the upcoming BRICS Industry Ministers’ Meeting and proposed organising a roundtable with Indian industrial firms to showcase investment opportunities and incentives available in Egypt.