Egypt intensifies efforts to attract Indian industry investment, leveraging its strategic location and free trade agreements to become a regional manufacturing base and expand bilateral trade.
Egypt is stepping up efforts to position itself as a regional manufacturing base for Indian companies, with a senior official from the Federation of Egyptian Industries saying the country offers access to markets across Africa, Europe, the Arab world and the Americas through its web of free trade agreements.
Speaking at a business dinner organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi, Mahmoud Sarg urged Indian firms to expand industrial investment in Egypt and to consider new production projects that could use the country as a platform for exports. The event came alongside Egypt’s participation in the 16th BRICS trade ministers’ meeting in Jaipur.
Sarg said Egyptian and Indian industry already share a long record of cooperation and that there is room to deepen it through joint manufacturing ventures. He pointed to opportunities in pharmaceuticals, food processing, textiles, footwear and leather goods, cars and auto parts, chemicals, green energy, mining, cables and technology, arguing that such projects would help raise local value-added and support new export markets.
Egyptian ministers also used the visit to underline the government’s investment pitch. Industry Minister Kamel El-Wazir said Cairo wants industrial projects that bring in technology, expand production capacity, create jobs and lift exports. Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Hassan El-Khatib, meanwhile, outlined recent economic, legal and institutional reforms aimed at improving the business climate and said the government would continue to back investors and remove obstacles to expansion.
The wider diplomatic and commercial push reflects a relationship that has been building for years. Egyptian and Indian leaders have already elevated ties to a strategic partnership, while bilateral trade has been growing. Business publications have reported that India is now one of Egypt’s largest trading partners, with both countries aiming to expand trade further over the next few years. Egyptian officials have also repeatedly highlighted the country’s location, infrastructure and trade agreements as selling points for Indian businesses seeking wider regional reach.
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