Ashraf AboArafe
22 April 2022, CAIRO – The UK Minister for South and Central Asia, North Africa, UN and the Commonwealth, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, has strengthened the UK-Egypt partnership on an official visit to the country, engaging in a number of meetings with key Egyptian interlocutor
Visiting during the holy month of Ramadan, Lord Ahmad met the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayyab, as well as Archbishop Samy Fawzy, Bishop of the Province of Alexandria, to discuss mutual religious understanding and cooperation. He went on to meet Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, and spoke with Minister for International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat by phone. They discussed the crisis in Ukraine and the economic effect of the crisis on Egypt and other countries in the region. They also discussed Egypt’s preparations to host COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, and how the UK can work with Egypt to ensure a successful conference.
Lord Ahmad was also able to meet with Minister of Tourism Khaled El-Enany, discussing encouraging UK tourism to Egypt following the recent lifting of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s travel advisory to the governorates of South Sinai and Fayoum. While here, he toured the Giza Pyramids with Head of the Giza Pyramids Complex Ashraf Mohie.
Speaking after the visit, Lord Ahmad said:
“During my visit to Egypt, I’ve seen for myself the strength of the UK-Egypt relationship. The UK is investing in our partnership with Egypt, working to support increasing investment and boost bilateral trade, and to encourage UK tourists to visit Egypt. Our partnership is increasingly strategic, and I know we will work very closely with our Egyptian counterparts later this year when Egypt succeeds the UK as COP President, at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh.”
At an evening suhour held at the Embassy, Lord Ahmad was also able to meet with key Egyptian contacts from business and the media, and to discuss the growing possibilities for UK investment and expansion in Egypt. Bilateral trade is increasing, and British companies remain among the largest sources of foreign direct investment in Egypt.
