In the first British official trade visit to Egypt after Brexit, chairperson of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SC Zone) Ahmed Darwish received Monday UK trade envoy to Egypt, Jeffrey Donaldson, the British ambassador to Egypt, John Casson, and CEO of UK Export Finance, Louis Taylor, at the SC Zone office in Ain Sokhna. The SC Zone authority said in a statement on Monday that the meeting will be a chance to discuss investment opportunities in the economic zone, learn about existing projects, and examine some British companies that wish to participate in the Suez Canal Area Development Project. Darwish gave a presentation on the zone, its general plan, its legislative and organisational structure, and the advantages and incentives for investors. He said that the zone is independent in decision making through its Board, the primary responsible body for governance in the zone with certain authorities prescribed by law. The region is distinguished for its inclusion of multiple industries as well as for its geographical position at the heart of the global trade hub. The delegation included representatives from the companies RDA, Gleeds, and Atkins, as well as director of UK Trade and Investment, Jason Ivory, and senior trade adviser and marketing manager at the British Embassy, Radwa Sultan. The British prime minister's envoy noted that the visit comes within the framework of supporting and strengthening trade relations between the United Kingdom and Egypt. He emphasised that British companies are keen to work in Egypt and are seeking to invest. This visit comes after the referendum by which the UK voted to leave the European Union as British companies look to open new markets in the Middle East, including the SC Zone. The visit comes following Darwish's visit to the United Kingdom in May, where he met with British officials interested in working in the Middle East region. What emerged from this was MP Jeffrey Donaldson's statement emphasising that Britain is qualified to be the first partner in the development of the region owing to its subsidiaries, experience, and qualifications. At the end of the meeting, the delegation went to Ain Sokhna then moved to the Chinese Industrial Area (TEDA).
