Egypt is working to attract more investment from Uzbekistan as both countries look to expand trade and economic cooperation across key industries, according to officials who met in Cairo this week. The discussions focused on building stronger business ties and opening new opportunities for joint investment.
The meeting took place between Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Mohamed Farid, and Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov at the ministry headquarters in Cairo. Both sides reviewed ways to increase trade flows and encourage private sector partnerships.
Officials said the talks covered several major sectors that could support future cooperation. These include textiles and ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and transport manufacturing such as buses and tractors. Both countries also explored opportunities in capital markets and investment institutions.
A key part of the discussion focused on improving communication between business communities in Egypt and Uzbekistan. Officials said stronger direct links between companies could help speed up joint projects and make it easier for investors to find opportunities in both markets.
Egypt highlighted its investment strengths during the meeting. Mohamed Farid said the country offers strong advantages for foreign investors, including a strategic geographic location that connects Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. He also pointed to Egypt’s wide network of trade agreements, which gives companies access to multiple international markets.
Farid also said the government is actively working to improve the business environment. This includes efforts to simplify procedures, encourage foreign investment, and expand industrial zones. He stressed that Egypt welcomes more Uzbek companies to enter the local market and take advantage of available opportunities.
The talks also touched on financial cooperation. Both sides discussed the possibility of closer ties between sovereign wealth funds and investment institutions. Officials said such partnerships could help increase capital flow and support long-term development projects.
Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov said his country sees Egypt as an important regional partner. He said Uzbekistan is currently running programs to attract more foreign investment and diversify its economic partnerships. These efforts aim to strengthen trade links with friendly nations and support national growth goals.
Saidov also expressed interest in expanding Uzbek business presence in Egypt. He said Egyptian markets offer strong competitive advantages and growing opportunities for foreign investors. He added that deeper cooperation could benefit both economies by increasing trade volume and encouraging joint ventures.
Both governments agreed that improving private sector involvement will be key to future progress. Officials said they want companies from both countries to play a bigger role in shaping trade relations, rather than relying only on government-level agreements.
Egypt also emphasized its system of investment zones, which allows foreign companies to operate in designated areas with improved infrastructure and support services. Officials said this system could help Uzbek firms establish a stronger presence in the Egyptian market.
At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to maintain regular communication between relevant authorities. They also committed to following up on the discussed areas to ensure progress on investment cooperation and trade development.
The meeting reflects Egypt’s broader strategy to expand economic ties with emerging markets. By strengthening partnerships with countries like Uzbekistan, Egypt aims to boost trade, attract new investments, and support long-term economic growth.
Officials said continued dialogue and business cooperation will be essential to turning these discussions into real projects that benefit both economies in the coming years.
