Egypt, Vietnam strengthen bilateral ties

CAIRO – 29 October 2024: Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly recently met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to discuss expanding cooperation across numerous strategic areas.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the "Future Investment Initiative" conference in Saudi Arabia, where Madbouly represented President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Talks emphasized economic partnerships, easing travel requirements, and collaborative efforts in multiple high-priority sectors.

Madbouly expressed Egypt’s interest in enhancing ties with Vietnam in key sectors like manufacturing, renewable energy, electric vehicle production, and semiconductor technology. He highlighted Egypt's investment potential, especially within the Suez Canal Economic Zone, and encouraged Vietnamese businesses to capitalize on Egypt’s extensive trade agreements, which provide access to multiple markets.

Madbouly proposed further economic integration, including an Egyptian-Vietnamese business forum, which Pham Minh Chinh welcomed, affirming plans to visit Egypt early next year. Chinh noted Vietnam’s interest in strengthening trade, potentially through tax exemption agreements and joint ventures in key technological industries.

Vietnam’s Prime Minister expressed appreciation for Egypt’s historical role in global peace efforts and the Non-Aligned Movement, particularly Egypt’s recent efforts to stabilize the Gaza Strip. Both leaders committed to supporting each other in international forums, with Egypt endorsing Vietnam’s role in ASEAN, while Vietnam pledged consideration for Egypt’s UNESCO candidacy.

The two countries also discussed deepening cultural exchange. Egypt offered increased scholarships for Vietnamese students, particularly at Al-Azhar University, while both sides expressed a shared interest in advancing education, digital transformation, and resource management.

One of the meeting’s most significant outcomes was a mutual proposal to establish visa-free entry between Egypt and Vietnam to facilitate tourism and business. Prime Minister Madbouly directed Egypt’s Foreign Ministry to expedite coordination to implement this plan, aiming to strengthen the bond between both nations.

Vietnam’s Prime Minister called for elevating Egypt-Vietnam relations to a strategic level, citing Vietnam’s position as a gateway for Egypt into Asian and ASEAN markets. He also suggested deploying a high-level Vietnamese delegation to Egypt, highlighting potential collaborative projects that could significantly benefit both countries.

The high-level discussions between Egypt and Vietnam underscore a commitment to building a robust bilateral relationship with a shared focus on trade, technology, education, and regional stability. These efforts pave the way for strategic partnerships that can further bolster economic development and cultural exchange between the two nations.