Egypt will participate as Guest of Honour at the 20th China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF) in Guangzhou, the country's SME development agency said Thursday. The move marks a major step in promoting Egyptian industry and expanding global market access for local businesses. The announcement follows the signing of a cooperation agreement between Basil Rahmy, CEO of Egypt's Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), and Essam El-Naggar, head of the Egyptian General Authority for Exhibitions and Conferences (EGAEC). The deal will see 88 Egyptian companies and public bodies participate in CISMEF, taking place on June 27–30. Rahmy described Egypt's guest of honour status as "a culmination of national efforts to modernise the image of Egyptian industry," and a unique opportunity for Egyptian SMEs to explore the Chinese market, identify export opportunities, and benefit from advanced industrial technologies. The move aligns with Egypt's wider push to grow exports and integrate local firms into global value chains, Rahmy added, noting that Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly has prioritised expanding SME access to international markets. CISMEF is one of the world's largest trade platforms for SMEs and is officially recognised by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). Egypt's participation is expected to include B2B meetings between Egyptian and Chinese companies, coordinated with Chinese organisers. El-Naggar said the partnership supports Egypt's deepening economic ties with China and advances the government's agenda to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and private-sector growth. He also praised efforts by Egypt's commercial attaché in China to facilitate matchmaking between businesses. This year's edition will mark Egypt's fourth participation in CISMEF, but its first as a guest of honour. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
