Ashraf AboArafe
New Delhi – October 16
Dr. Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Expatriate Affairs, met on Thursday with Ambassador Ajit Kumar, Director of the Hinduja Group, in New Delhi.
The Minister affirmed Egypt’s keen interest in fostering cooperation with international companies to attract greater foreign investment and localize vehicle manufacturing across various categories — particularly cars and buses, whether electric or fuel-powered.
Dr. Abdelatty highlighted Egypt’s extensive capacity to generate electricity from renewable energy sources at large volumes and low costs. He also noted the growing domestic demand for electric vehicles and buses, especially with Egypt’s ongoing expansion in establishing electric charging stations across many governorates.
The Minister further emphasized Egypt’s broad range of investment incentives, including customs and tax exemptions in its free industrial zones — notably within the Suez Canal Economic Zone, which boasts robust infrastructure and a strategic geographic location. He also underscored Egypt’s wide network of free trade agreements with several economic blocs across the Arab world, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, enabling products manufactured in Egypt to be exported duty-free to these markets.
Meanwhile, the Ambassador of India to Egypt, Mr. Suresh K. Reddy, praised the positive momentum in Egypt–India relations, describing this visit as one of great strategic importance. He noted that India places the highest value on its strategic partnership with Egypt, and that this represents the first strategic dialogue between the two nations, taking place shortly after the successful Peace Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Ambassador Reddy commended Egypt’s leadership and vision under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, congratulating the country for its historic role in promoting peace and regional stability. He reaffirmed India’s full support for Egypt and its partners in reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts across the region.
The Ambassador also praised Egypt’s growing economic openness and investment climate, emphasizing that Indian businesses view Egypt as a promising destination and a gateway to Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
Reddy went on to highlight India’s principled and long-standing stance on Palestine, recalling that India was among the first non-Arab countries to recognize the State of Palestine in 1988. He noted that India has consistently provided financial aid, carried out development projects, and implemented capacity-building programs in Palestine.
He concluded by reiterating India’s commitment to working with the international community to restore peace and support the aspirations of the Palestinian people toward the establishment of an independent, sovereign state.
