Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, held high-level talks with Tanzanian officials on launching joint strategic projects in the transport and industrial sectors, underscoring the deepening partnership between the two countries. According to a joint statement from Egypt's Ministries of Industry and Transport, the meeting took place within the framework of the longstanding and brotherly relations between Egypt and the United Republic of Tanzania, in line with President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi's directives to strengthen cooperation with African nations. Al-Wazir met with Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahmoud Thabit Kombo and Minister of Information, Culture and Sports Professor Yalamma Gamba John Kabudi, in the presence of senior officials from Egypt's ministries of industry, transport, and foreign affairs. During the talks, Al-Wazir reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to expanding cooperation with Tanzania across various sectors, particularly industry and transport, emphasizing that bilateral relations are rooted in strong historical ties and close political relations between President Al-Sisi and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. He stressed that the proposed cooperation is based on integration rather than competition. Key initiatives discussed included the establishment of a cargo terminal at Dar es Salaam Port through Egyptian companies, leveraging global shipping lines to enhance trade flows between the two countries. The discussions also covered plans to develop an integrated livestock breeding complex, a modern slaughterhouse, and a leather tanning factory, alongside specialized facilities to improve production management and marketing efficiency. These projects aim to increase the flow of Egyptian raw materials and manufactured goods to Tanzania, while facilitating the import of Tanzanian products into Egypt through major ports, including Sokhna, Safaga, and Dar es Salaam. Both sides also explored the reciprocal establishment of logistics zones—one for Egypt in Tanzania and another for Tanzania in Egypt—modeled on Egypt's successful experience with Rwanda. The initiative is expected to support joint investments, promote industrial cooperation, strengthen economic integration, and create employment opportunities for youth in both countries. Al-Wazir highlighted Egypt's extensive experience in infrastructure development, noting that Egyptian companies have delivered major projects domestically and internationally, including roads, bridges, airports, tunnels, and large-scale national developments. He affirmed their readiness to implement projects in Tanzania to the highest quality standards, within short timelines, and at competitive costs. For his part, Tanzanian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo expressed appreciation for Egypt's role in advancing bilateral cooperation, praising Egyptian expertise in industry, transport, infrastructure, and agriculture. He said the discussions paved the way for moving forward with the implementation of the proposed projects, which are expected to generate significant economic returns and employment opportunities. Kombo added that steps will be taken in the coming period to finalize project frameworks, extending an official invitation to Al-Wazir to visit Tanzania for meetings with ministers of agriculture, transport, industry, and investment to formally launch and activate the projects. Meanwhile, Minister of Information, Culture and Sports Professor Yalamma Gamba John Kabudi welcomed the outcomes of the meeting, emphasizing the strength of Egyptian-Tanzanian relations and affirming Tanzania's full readiness to proceed with the joint initiatives, with intensified coordination expected in the period ahead.
