Mohamed El-Shimy, Minister of Public Enterprises, held talks with Suresh K. Reddy, India's Ambassador to Egypt, and Puneet Chhatwal, Chief Executive Officer of Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), owner of the global luxury hotel brand Taj and a subsidiary of India's Tata Group, alongside their accompanying delegation. During the meeting, El-Shimy emphasised the depth and strength of Egyptian–Indian relations and their continued expansion across various sectors, particularly in economic, investment, and tourism cooperation. The discussions followed the recent signing of a management and operation agreement for the historic Continental Hotel in downtown Cairo between the Egyptian General Company for Tourism and Hotels (EGOTH)—the hotel's owner and a subsidiary of the Holding Company for Tourism and Hotels under the Ministry of Public Enterprises—and Indian Hotels Company Limited. The agreement was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, marking the first entry of the globally renowned Taj brand into the Egyptian market. This milestone reflects the mutual confidence between both sides and underscores the growing attractiveness of Egypt's tourism investment climate. The meeting addressed ways to strengthen joint cooperation and explore partnership opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sectors, as well as mechanisms to support serious international partnerships. These efforts aim to maximise the value of Egypt's historic tourism assets and reinforce the country's position on the global tourism map. The meeting was attended by Mohamed Magued El-Menshawy, Chairman of the Holding Company for Tourism and Hotels; Amr Attia, Managing Director of the Holding Company; Amal Saleh, Adviser to the Minister; and Hisham El-Demery, Managing Director of EGOTH. El-Shimy reaffirmed the Ministry of Public Enterprises' commitment to expanding partnerships with both local and international private-sector entities, viewing such collaborations as a cornerstone for maximising economic returns from state-owned assets and enhancing their management and operation in line with international best practices. He noted that the Holding Company for Tourism and Hotels owns a diverse and extensive portfolio of tourism and hospitality assets across Egypt, offering promising opportunities for partnership with leading global hotel brands, in line with the Ministry's strategy to attract serious investment and transfer international expertise. The Minister described the selection of Indian Hotels Company Limited to manage and operate the Continental Hotel as a strategic milestone in reviving one of the most significant architectural and historical landmarks of Khedivial Cairo. He confirmed that implementation of the hotel's redevelopment project began in the second quarter of the current year, in parallel with the State's plan to revitalise the surrounding area, while preserving the hotel's original architectural identity and historic façades and integrating them with the latest global hospitality standards. El-Shimy added that the entry of the Taj brand into Egypt reflects increasing confidence among major international institutions in the Egyptian economy and the country's tourism investment environment. He stressed the importance of selecting partners with proven global expertise in managing luxury heritage hotels to ensure a premium hospitality experience that honours the historical value and prime location of the Continental Hotel. Originally established in 1870, the Continental Hotel is one of Cairo's most iconic historic landmarks. It is set to be redeveloped as a five-star hotel with a capacity of approximately 300 rooms, restoring its status as a distinguished hospitality destination that reflects Cairo's rich heritage and international tourism appeal.
