Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry Mahmoud Issa today met with Turkish Ambassador Hasan Botsaly to discuss plans to stimulate foreign investment in Egypt and open new markets for exports. The officials discussed methods of deepening and expanding industrial cooperation and trade as well as how to increase joint investments in technology, training and packaging, particularly in the food industry. Minister of Solidarity and Social Justice Gouda Abdel Khalek and the economic advisor to the Turkish Embassy in Cairo attended the meeting. The minister stressed the importance of stimulating and strengthening the economic and investment cooperation between Egypt and Turkey and underlined the need for a genuine partnership between Egypt and Turkey. The Turkish ambassador called for joint meetings between businessmen from both countries in order to discuss an integrated work program designed to increase economic cooperation and investment in the future. The minister said government must create a favorable climate conducive to domestic and foreign investment and facilitate the necessary support for partners to set up new economic projects and expand existing projects, Issa said. The ministry will not hesitate to solve any investment problem that may occur with Turkish businessmen, he added. Egypt could link Turkey to African markets while Turkey could link Egypt to Central European markets and the Kazakhstani and Russian markets in Asia, Issa said. The Turkish ambassador stressed his country's readiness to provide support to the Egyptian economy and pointed out Turkey's interest in working further with Egypt, particularly in the banking and training industries. He also referenced Turkey's eagerness to receive Egyptian training missions in industries like finance, customs, banking and improving quality standards. The Egyptian minister also mentioned that Turkey is a successful model of social justice.
