Egypt and Vietnam on Tuesday agreed to elevate bilateral relations to the level of a comprehensive partnership based on cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, trade, and investment. This new phase will rely on efforts by both governments and the private sector. The two sides signed a series of cooperation agreements covering local development, defence and peacekeeping, and economic development. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said the two countries had yet to fully tap into their potential. He noted that Egypt could serve as Vietnam's gateway to the Middle East and Africa, given its network of free trade agreements with both regions. Likewise, Vietnam could be Egypt's entry point to Southeast Asian markets. Today's talks between the presidents of the two countries in Cairo emphasised the importance of strengthening coordination to establish appropriate mechanisms for boosting cooperation and trade exchange between the two countries. They also discussed enhancing investment cooperation and developing partnerships in priority sectors, particularly infrastructure, information technology, digital transformation, aquaculture, textiles and ready-made garments, electronics, fertilisers, food products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and electric vehicles. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
