Egypt and Oman have discussed ways to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, with a focus on establishing integrated industrial projects, developing industrial zones, and enhancing maritime connectivity. Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, met with Oman's Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, on the sidelines of the Egyptian-Omani Business Forum in Muscat. During the meeting, Al-Wazir reaffirmed Egypt's keenness to deepen bilateral relations, expand joint investments, and capitalize on available opportunities across multiple sectors, in line with the directives of the political leadership in both countries. He noted that the Egyptian delegation included representatives of Egyptian companies currently operating in Oman, most of which are active in construction and infrastructure. Al-Wazir said Egypt aims for these companies to act as a catalyst for attracting more Egyptian firms to the Omani market, while transferring Egyptian expertise accumulated through major national projects in roads, infrastructure, industrial development, industrial zone establishment, and water and wastewater facilities. The meeting reviewed the capabilities of Egyptian contracting companies and the projects they have already implemented in Oman. Al-Wazir affirmed the readiness of Egyptian firms to establish factories in Oman to manufacture building and construction materials or complete production stages locally, highlighting the experience of Egyptian industrial developers in developing high-standard industrial zones. He stressed the importance of focusing on integrated industrial projects that leverage the complementary resources and capabilities of both countries to produce finished goods branded as "Made in Egypt" or "Made in Oman." Al-Wazir also pointed to the potential of utilizing Oman's iron and copper resources to establish joint industries, including the production of cables and wires, to meet domestic demand and support exports. In addition, he underscored the need to enhance maritime connectivity by strengthening links between Egypt's Ain Sokhna Port—home to six of the world's largest port operators and major global shipping lines—and Oman's Sohar Port. He proposed attracting an industrial company to establish logistics zones at both ports, enabling joint manufacturing processes in which production stages are completed across the two locations. Al-Wazir added that an official invitation would be extended to Oman's Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, as well as the Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, to visit Egypt's industrial zones, the New Administrative Capital, and the Grand Egyptian Museum to review Egypt's recent industrial and urban development. For his part, Al Yousef praised the strength of the longstanding fraternal relations between Egypt and Oman, commending Egypt's major achievements, particularly the Grand Egyptian Museum and the New Administrative Capital. He called for the formation of a joint working group bringing together officials from Oman's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion and Egypt's Ministries of Industry and Transport to study opportunities for industrial integration, assess feasibility, and enhance port connectivity. Al Yousef said these efforts would help boost bilateral trade, build on the success of Egyptian companies operating in Oman, and take advantage of the extensive network of regional and international trade agreements linking both countries.
