Egypt's Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Hassan El-Khatib met with Morocco's Secretary of State to the Minister of Industry and Trade, Omar Hejira, in Cairo on Monday to discuss strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries, the ministry said. The talks, held on the sidelines of fourth Ministerial Retreat of the Council of Ministers of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the 17th Council of Ministers of Trade of the AfCFTA. El-Khatib said Egypt plans to establish six logistics hubs in key African states to facilitate exports, adding that Morocco's foothold in West Africa could provide a gateway for Egyptian products. He also highlighted the importance of creating jobs and protecting local industries while deepening regional integration. Hejira reaffirmed Morocco's commitment to closer ties with Egypt and pointed to opportunities for industrial cooperation in automotive manufacturing and textiles. The two sides also discussed preparations for the Egyptian-Moroccan Joint Trade Committee meetings in Marrakech this December, which will include a ministerial session, business forum, and trade exhibition. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser