Egypt's Minister of Industry Kamel El-Wazir held a videoconference on Wednesday with Volkswagen Group CEO Thomas Schäfer to discuss the company's plans to expand automotive manufacturing in Egypt. The meeting reviewed Volkswagen's multi-phase strategy for the Egyptian market, beginning with contract manufacturing at the Egyptian German Automotive Company (EGA) and eventually establishing a fully integrated automotive plant in the East Port Said Industrial Zone. Discussions also covered plans to localise car component production, strengthen domestic suppliers, establish a research and development centre to support technology transfer, and create a technical training facility for electric vehicle maintenance and repair. El-Wazir stressed the strategic advantages of Egypt as a gateway to Africa, noting the country's local and regional supply chains and access to global component suppliers within Volkswagen's international network. He also highlighted incentives available under Egypt's National Automotive Industry Development Programme (AIDP) designed to support the company's expansion. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: Y.Yasser