Egypt has invited Pakistani companies to set up manufacturing operations within the North African nation. This proposal aims to provide Pakistani businesses with a pathway to the United States market via Egypt’s preferential trade arrangements with Washington.
The offer was presented during a bilateral meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Mohamed Farid Saleh. The meeting took place in Istanbul, Türkiye, on the sidelines of the 42nd Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC).
During the discussion, Saleh highlighted investment opportunities in Egypt and encouraged Pakistani businesses to look into industrial operations and manufacturing partnerships. He specifically noted that Egypt’s trade arrangements with the United States could allow Pakistani investors to establish facilities in Egypt to access the American market, provided they meet applicable trade requirements.
Saleh requested information regarding which Pakistani companies intend to participate in an upcoming business forum. He stated this would help facilitate direct engagement between the two countries' business communities to identify potential investment partnerships. Additionally, Saleh pointed out affordable educational opportunities for Pakistani students in fields such as science, technology, medicine, healthcare, and engineering.
Jam Kamal emphasized the need for joint ventures between the private sector companies of both nations, particularly in manufacturing and textiles. He stated that stronger business-to-business engagement and institutional cooperation could help both countries expand commercial ties and explore new international markets.
In a separate meeting during the same event, Jam Kamal met with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Governor for International Organizations and Agreements, Fareed S. Alasaly. The two discussed cooperation in food security, livestock, agriculture, human resource development, and industrial development. While both sides agreed to strengthen collaboration, Kamal proposed partnerships between leading Pakistani and Saudi businesses to explore emerging trade opportunities in African markets.
Jam Kamal also met with Tunisia’s Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Abid, to discuss industrial cooperation and bilateral trade. Both ministers acknowledged that trade between Pakistan and Tunisia remains below its potential and called for coordinated efforts to strengthen commercial ties.
