Egypt, Belarus forge stronger industrial partnership to boost local manufacturing, trade

CAIRO - 18 December 2024: Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al Wazir, recently held an extensive meeting with Alexander Ogorodnikov, First Deputy Minister of Industry of Belarus, alongside representatives from five leading Belarusian companies. The meeting, attended by Ambassador Ihab Nasr and senior officials from the Egyptian ministries of industry, transport, military production, trade, and investment, focused on enhancing industrial collaboration and localizing critical industries in Egypt.

 

Minister Al Wazir highlighted the robust partnership between Egypt and Belarus, emphasizing Egypt's ambitious industrial development plans under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. “Our goal is to position Egypt as a regional industrial hub by offering attractive incentives for industrial zones and creating a business-friendly investment environment,” he stated.

 

Ogorodnikov, representing the Belarusian delegation, reiterated Belarus's commitment to deepening industrial ties with Egypt. The delegation included executives from key industries, including trucks, tractors, agricultural machinery, and silos, expressing eagerness to collaborate with Egyptian counterparts.

 

The discussions revolved around enhancing cooperation between Belarusian firms and Egypt’s Ministry of Military Production, with a focus on trucks, agricultural tractors, and earth-moving equipment such as loaders, compactors, and forklifts. Minister Al Wazir underscored the need to produce high-quality, competitively priced goods tailored to local market needs and export opportunities. “Strategic marketing efforts will play a pivotal role in realizing the economic potential of these collaborations,” he added.

 

Another significant topic was a proposal to establish a grain trading and processing hub in Egypt. This logistical center would manage the import, processing, and marketing of grain products, catering to local demands and facilitating exports to Arab and African markets.

 

Both parties agreed on the importance of frequent meetings in the coming months to outline a roadmap for enhanced industrial cooperation. Al Wazir expressed optimism about the future of Egyptian-Belarusian collaboration, citing shared objectives to drive economic growth and industrial innovation.