The roundtable discussed ways to enhance joint economic relations between the 2 countries in the fields of investment, infrastructure, industry, energy, agriculture, and tourism.
The Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade hosted the Egyptian-Angolan roundtable, attended by Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who is currently visiting Cairo. The roundtable discussed ways to strengthen economic relations between the two countries and the potential for developing and advancing bilateral cooperation in various fields, particularly in investment, infrastructure, industry, energy, agriculture, and tourism. It also aimed to support sustainable development on the African continent.
This was in the presence of Dr. Badr Abdel Aati - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Dr. Amr Talaat - Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Mahmoud Esmat - Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Eng. Sherif El Sherbiny - Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, Dr. Alaa Farouk - Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, and Eng. Karim Badawi - Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, along with a number of Angolan officials.
A number of private sector representatives also participated, including Eng. Ahmed Elsewedy - Chairman of Elsewedy, and Dr. Ashraf Salman - representative of Talat Moustafa Group, Dr. Sherif El Gabaly - Chairman of the Chamber of Chemical Industries, Eng. Khaled Nasr -Chairman of Alkan Holding Group, Eng. Ahmed El Assar - Chairman of the Arab Contractors Company, Eng. Hassan Allam - Chairman of Hassan Allam Company, and Mr. Riad Armanious - Chairman of Eva Pharma.
Angolan President Joao Lourenco expressed his aspiration to enhance cooperation with Egypt, noting that the Angolan market is open to foreign investment, particularly in the electric vehicle industry and information transmission, given Angola's advanced digital infrastructure, including a satellite and a vibrant private sector.
Lourenco emphasized that the Angolan government is working to develop infrastructure in the capital and major cities and is seeking to establish new metro lines. He explained that there are promising opportunities in the fields of construction, building, and facility maintenance, with the state committed to providing all necessary facilities and overcoming challenges facing investors.
The Angolan President praised Egypt's pivotal role in supporting development within Africa, expressing his appreciation for cooperation with the Arab Contractors on a number of projects.
He called on Egyptian companies to invest in Angola's agriculture, tourism, and mining sectors, stressing the importance of economic integration among the continent's countries.
Dr. Amr Talaat - Minister of Communications and Information Technology, emphasized that digital transformation is one of the most important pillars of the Egyptian state's strategy. He pointed out that the ministry is working through 3 main axes: developing digital government services, building a strong infrastructure, and empowering human resources.
He added that a unified digital platform has been launched offering more than 180 government services, in addition to consular services, contributing to facilitating procedures and enhancing the efficiency of government performance.
The minister highlighted Egypt's efforts to develop its digital infrastructure, which has seen internet speeds increase more than 15-fold. He explained that the state has placed significant emphasis on developing digital skills by establishing schools specializing in information and communications technology.
He also expressed his welcome to Angolan students to study at these schools, in addition to the opening of support centers for innovators and startup owners in various governorates.
Eng. Sherif El Sherbiny - Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, explored the significant leap that Egypt has witnessed in implementing comprehensive urban development projects over the past 10 years in light of the directives of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, which have contributed to improving the quality of life for citizens, meeting the growing demand for housing, and promoting sustainable development. He pointed out that the Ministry of Housing has developed a strategy in response to the state’s vision and to achieve balanced development that includes all regions and has succeeded in increasing the inhabited land within Egypt from 7% to 14%, which represents double the area.
The Minister of Housing added that this strategy is based on 6 main axes: launching new 4th generation smart cities, such as the New Administrative Capital, New Al Alamein, and New Mansoura. Besides, the implementation of the ambitious plans to develop slums contributed to improving housing conditions for millions of citizens. The ministry's strategy also included launching several major national projects, such as the social housing project to provide housing units for low-income people, with a focus on developing advanced infrastructure, especially projects being implemented within the presidential "Decent Life" initiative. This is in addition to expanding existing cities and first-, second-, and third-generation cities and implementing several heritage and revitalization projects, such as the Khedivial Cairo project and the development project for the site of the Great Transfiguration in St. Catherine.
Eng. Ahmed Elsewedy - Chairman of Elsewedy Electric, expressed his pride in El Sewedy's presence in Angola for over 15 years, working in the electricity, infrastructure, water, and industry sectors. He emphasized the company's commitment to supporting comprehensive development plans in the Angolan market.
Eng. Khaled Nasr - Chairman of Alkan, praised the investment opportunities available in Angola, explaining that the company operates in 22 countries across the world in the fields of communications, infrastructure, and digitalization, in addition to heavy industries and the distribution of cars and equipment.
Dr. Ashraf Salman - a representative of Talaat Moustafa Group, emphasized that the Angolan market is witnessing growth in GDP, pointing to promising opportunities in the real estate and hospitality sectors, with a strong banking sector contributing to attracting Egyptian investments.
Eng. Sherif El Gebali - Chairman of the Chamber of Chemical Industries, pointed out Egypt's interest in expanding agricultural investments in Angola, noting that Egypt is one of the largest fertilizer producers, which enhances opportunities for agricultural cooperation between the two countries.
Eng. Ahmed El Assar - Chairman of the Arab Contractors Company, expressed his pride in the company's expansion into Angola, stating that the Arab Contractors currently operate in more than 38 countries and is seeking to implement new projects in the infrastructure and urban development sectors within Angola.
Eng.Hassan Allam - CEO of Hassan Allam Holding, praised the potential of the Angolan market, pointing to the company's expertise in construction, real estate development, and energy, and its presence in 10 countries.
Mr. Ashraf El Khouly - Managing Director of the Holding Company for Pharmaceuticals, affirmed the company's desire to cooperate with the Angolan side in the manufacture and supply of pharmaceuticals, explaining that the company produces various types of pharmaceuticals, including biologicals.