Basmah AlGalus
On August 19, H.E. Kim Yonghyon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Egypt, met with H.E. Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Egypt, to explore new horizons for bilateral cooperation in investment and trade.
Ambassador Kim praised Egypt’s determined efforts to stabilize its macroeconomy, enhance export competitiveness, and improve its investment climate, describing these reforms as a strong signal of confidence to international investors. He highlighted Egypt’s youthful and skilled workforce, strategic geographic position, and gateway access to regional markets — qualities that could elevate the country into a leading manufacturing and export hub for the Middle East and Africa.
The Ambassador emphasized that Korea’s global expertise in manufacturing and advanced technology can complement Egypt’s economic ambitions, boosting industrial competitiveness and diversifying its growth sectors. Citing Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics as success stories, he underlined their contributions to job creation and exports through their facilities in Egypt. He further noted that a growing number of Korean investors, including in textiles and apparel, are now considering Egypt as a strategic base for expansion.
Looking to the future, Ambassador Kim expressed optimism about the potential of a Korea–Egypt Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), currently under feasibility study, to further catalyze trade and investment, especially in advanced industries and innovation-driven sectors. He also drew attention to the Korea–Egypt Economic Cooperation and Partnership Conference, set to take place in Cairo on September 30, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
For his part, Minister El-Khatib reaffirmed Korea’s position as a vital partner in Egypt’s development journey. He encouraged greater Korean investment, stressing that Korea’s technological excellence and global reach can play a transformative role in strengthening Egypt’s industrial base and generating employment opportunities. He voiced Egypt’s readiness to deepen this partnership, building a shared future of prosperity and innovation.
