Egypt is intensifying efforts to expand its regional economic footprint as Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel El-Wazir leads a high-level business delegation to Kuwait to pitch for a wide range of development projects. Minister El-Wazir is accompanied by the heads of 17 Egyptian companies specialising in infrastructure, construction, transport, energy and logistics—including Orascom Construction, Arab Contractors, Elsewedy Electric, ACE Moharram Bakhoum, and Hassan Allam Holding —seeking opportunities in projects Kuwait is preparing to roll out. The visit comes as Kuwait accelerates public investment in infrastructure, ports, housing and renewable energy, offering a pipeline of opportunities for experienced foreign partners. The two countries are aiming to translate their close diplomatic ties into deeper economic cooperation. Egyptian companies bring world-class project delivery capabilities and are eager to support Kuwait's development priorities, Minister El-Wazir said according to a ministerial statement. Strategic Sectors in Focus During the multi-day visit, Minister El-Wazir met with several top Kuwaiti ministers to discuss opportunities in infrastructure, public utilities, housing and industrial integration. Talks with Minister of Public Works Noura Al Mashaan focused on road and bridge maintenance, stormwater drainage, and participation in Kuwait's portion of the GCC rail network, including a proposed high-speed rail link with Saudi Arabia. Minister El-Wazir also held talks with the Kuwait Ports Authority to explore participation in the redevelopment of Shuaiba Port, with an international tender expected later this year. Egyptian companies were invited to bid. Egypt presented its own recent transformation in the maritime sector, including the expansion to 18 ports, over 100 km of new berths, and the attraction of global port operators and shipping lines. Cairo is positioning itself as a regional logistics and transshipment hub. Energy and Housing Opportunities In meetings with Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy Sabeeh Al-Mukhaizeem, the Egyptian delegation promoted its capacity to support Kuwait's goal of doubling its grid capacity within five years. Egyptian firms such as Elsewedy and Hassan Allam have delivered large-scale energy and desalination projects across the region. Minister El-Wazir also held talks with Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Abdul Latif Al-Mishari, to discuss Egypt's experience in building new urban centres. Kuwait plans to offer three major residential projects before the end of 2025 under a developer-led model, with interest in Egyptian participation. Industrial Investment and Integration Minister El-Wazir met with Kuwait's Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investments Noora Al-Fassam to discuss converting part of Kuwait's deposit at Egypt's Central Bank (CBE) into direct investment. The meeting also focused on industrial localisation, trade promotion, and joint ventures. Talks with Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel emphasised the creation of integrated industrial zones between the two countries. Under this model, manufacturing processes would be split between Egypt and Kuwait, allowing both sides to leverage their comparative advantages and export capacity. Egypt also offered to provide vocational training for Kuwaiti workers through its 44 training centres under the Industrial Productivity Authority. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
