Egypt's Minister of Military Production Mohamed El-Assar discussed mutual cooperation in defence manufacturing with Saudi Arabian officials in Cairo, the ministry said in a statement on Friday. El-Assar met with the chair of the kingdom's state-owned Military Industries Corporation, Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Mady, who is leading a delegation to Cairo in the run-up to Egypt's first military and defence industries expo, EDEX 2018. During the talks on Thursday, the officials discussed ways to boost cooperation and improve exchange of technology and experience in the defence industry. The two sides emphasised the need for strengthening coordination in defence manufacturing between all Arab countries, and particularly Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is showcasing its latest defence products in the biggest pavilion at the defence fair, which runs from 3 to 5 December.