Egypt and Russia pledged to deepen economic and trade relations during the 15th session of the Egyptian-Russian Joint Committee held in Cairo, Egypt's Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade said on Wednesday. Egyptian Investment Minister Hassan El-Khatib co-chaired the meeting with Russian Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov. The two sides signed the minutes of the meeting and agreed to boost cooperation across sectors including industry, energy, education, agriculture, communications, health, transport, and tourism. Minister El-Khatib described the committee as a key platform for advancing bilateral economic and investment ties, highlighting the political backing from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "The committee reflects our shared commitment to strengthening strategic relations," Minister El-Khatib said, noting that trade between the two countries rose about 25 per cent in 2024 to record levels despite global challenges. The Egyptian minister also pointed to recent high-level diplomacy, including President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's visit to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations and talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as a reflection of the deepening strategic ties between the two nations. He called on Russian firms to expand investment in Egypt, citing recent regulatory reforms, streamlined procedures, and Egypt's network of free trade agreements with global and regional blocs. Minister El-Khatib said Egypt could serve as a hub for Russian investment in Africa and the Middle East, pointing to the Russian Industrial Zone as a key project the government is committed to advancing. The joint committee, he added, remains a "main driver" of economic cooperation and a mechanism to follow up on implementation of agreements. The meeting concluded with a joint pledge to enhance cooperation across a wide range of sectors. While Alikhanov did not issue public remarks, both sides emphasized the importance of following through on past agreements to drive tangible outcomes. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
