Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met with a US business delegation in Cairo on Monday, discussing enhanced economic cooperation and investment opportunities, the Egyptian presidency said. The delegation, participating in the US-Egypt Policy Leaders Forum, was headed by Suzanne Clark, President of the US Chamber of Commerce, and John Christmann, Chairperson of the US-Egypt Business Council and CEO of Apache Corporation. Egyptian officials present included Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates' Affairs Badr Abdelatty, and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib. The Egyptian Presidency spokesperson stated that before an expanded session, Al-Sisi held a meeting with Clark and Christmann, attended by Madbouly, El-Wazir, and Abdelatty. During this, Al-Sisi expressed "Egypt's readiness to cooperate with the US business community and investors in all economic fields of common interest, especially with the Trump administration's directives supporting enhanced cooperation between Egyptian and US companies." Al-Sisi stressed "Egypt's aspiration to be a major industrial hub for American industries, being a large market and a gateway to the Arab region and the African continent, especially given Egypt's strong ties with African nations." He also "emphasised Egypt's aspiration to establish an American industrial zone in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, stressing that the Egyptian side is ready to provide all necessary facilities for American investors." He noted that "investment in Egypt is an opportunity for any investor, especially with Egypt's political stability and societal awareness 'based on citizens' consciousness and resilience in enduring harsh economic reforms implemented for the public good,' amidst the difficult regional political circumstances and their repercussions." Clark indicated that the US business delegation's visit "confirms the strength and solidity of the strategic alliance between Egypt and the United States." She explained that "American companies operating in Egypt are achieving tangible successes, contributing to Egypt's development process, and are considered a model for successful bilateral cooperation, similar to Apache Corporation." Sisi valued this, expressing appreciation for Apache's operations in Egypt. Presidential spokesperson Mohamed El-Shennawy added that an expanded meeting with representatives of US companies followed. Al-Sisi "welcomed them, emphasising the depth and solidity of Egyptian-US strategic relations and Egypt's keenness to enhance them in all fields serving mutual interests, especially in economic, commercial, and investment areas." Al-Sisi pointed out that "Egypt is a large market with ready and advanced infrastructure to receive investments, and legislative reforms have been undertaken to support efforts to attract foreign investment." He highlighted areas like the Suez Canal Economic Zone offering facilities for foreign companies and reviewed "the significant efforts by the Egyptian government within the economic reform programme, which has contributed to a noticeable improvement in macroeconomic indicators, enhanced productivity, and job creation." The spokesperson mentioned Al-Sisi "highlighted the significant opportunities available to foreign investors in Egypt, especially given Egypt's distinctive geographical location, through which it plays the role of a gateway to Arab and African markets, as well as to Europe." Al-Sisi "expressed a welcome for US investments, both existing and new, and stated that the state is ready to provide all necessary facilities and overcome any obstacles to ensure the success of US companies and investors in Egypt." He also noted the state's keenness to enhance the private sector's role in development. The meeting addressed priority investment areas for Egypt, including telecommunications and information technology, artificial intelligence, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, the automotive industry, renewable energy, construction, infrastructure, and food industries, the spokesperson said. Al-Sisi "emphasised the priority Egypt gives to localising industry." Al-Sisi listened to interventions from US delegation members, who "expressed their appreciation for the attention the Egyptian government pays to supporting investment and economic development," and "affirmed their keenness to benefit from the promising opportunities offered by the Egyptian market and economy, in a way that achieves mutual interests for both sides," the spokesperson clarified.
