Bahraini investments in Egypt reached approximately $450m in 2024, spread across more than 237 companies, Egypt's Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan El-Khatib, said on Tuesday. Speaking at the Egyptian–Bahraini Business Forum in Cairo, El-Khatib described Bahrain as one of Egypt's key investment partners, with companies operating in sectors including finance, industry, tourism, and real estate. Bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to around $35.27m during the same year, he added. The minister noted that Egypt has undergone a profound transformation in its development, ranking first in Africa and ninth globally for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in 2024. He highlighted the government's ambition to build on these achievements by continuing reforms to create a more attractive environment for business and investment, in line with Egypt's strategy to rank among the world's top 50 countries in investment and trade competitiveness indicators within the next two years. "Egypt is now more ready than ever to welcome international capital and expertise, with its strategic location and extensive network of free trade agreements positioning it as a key gateway to vast regional and African markets," El-Khatib said, noting this opens up significant opportunities for Bahraini investors. He underlined that Bahrain's economy, with its advanced expertise in financial services, energy, and specialised industries, makes it an "ideal partner to strengthen economic integration with Egypt." This would pave the way for innovative investment projects that boost trade, support sustainable development, and create opportunities for cooperation in sectors such as manufacturing, renewable energy, and the digital economy. The minister stressed that the forum represents a new starting point for strategic cooperation and reflects the depth of the countries' long-standing fraternal ties. He called for the forum to be held regularly and underscored the importance of ongoing direct engagement to reach constructive economic agreements. The forum was also attended by Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Bahrain's Minister of Sustainable Development; Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani, Bahrain's Minister of Industry and Commerce; and Ahmed Kouchouk, Egypt's Minister of Finance, as well as a number of senior officials, business leaders, and investors.
