Egypt and Bahrain are working to deepen trade and investment links, with Egyptian Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk describing the countries' economic relations as undergoing a "landmark shift" and urging the private sector to seize new opportunities for growth. Speaking at the Egyptian–Bahraini Business Forum in Cairo on Tuesday, Minister Kouchouk said that Egypt's improving economic outlook, underpinned by ongoing reforms, has opened the door for wider cooperation. He pointed out that the private sector accounted for 63 per cent of total executed investments in Egypt last year, adding that non-oil goods exports rose by 33 per cent. Key industries such as manufacturing, ICT and tourism were all experiencing strong expansion, he said. Meanwhile, Bahraini Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro underlined the "historic depth" of bilateral ties, noting that relations were built not only on trade figures but on a shared future. He said about 2,000 joint companies are now active across a range of sectors, reflecting the growing investment base. Fakhro also pointed to Bahrain and Egypt's participation in the regional Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development, aimed at fostering joint manufacturing and industrial integration. He highlighted Bahrain's competitive investment climate, advanced infrastructure and position as a gateway to Gulf and East Asian markets, while citing Egypt's young workforce, promising industrial base and large consumer market as complementary strengths. Together, he said, the two nations offer "ideal destinations for joint factories, industrial development centres and innovation hubs" that could serve regional and global markets. The forum, he added, demonstrated a shared determination to take cooperation to "a new era of prosperity and sustainability" for both nations. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser
