Ashraf AboArafe
In the heart of Cairo, where the banks of the Nile meet the spirit of the East and the promise of renewal, the First Sino–Egyptian Investment Forum convened on Sunday, bringing together senior officials, business leaders, and investors from both nations in a gathering rich with optimism and vision for a shared, prosperous tomorrow.
In his opening remarks, Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan El-Khatib, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in investment and trade to embrace broader, more diverse sectors. He emphasized that Egypt seeks balanced and sustainable economic relations by attracting more Chinese investments and strengthening joint production for export.
Ling Ji, China’s Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy International Trade Representative, noted that China has remained Egypt’s largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years, highlighting that the China–Egypt TEDA Cooperation Zone in Suez has already attracted around 200 enterprises, underscoring deepening mutual trust and growing industrial integration.
Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang praised the dynamic role of Chinese investors in Egypt, affirming that the Belt and Road Initiative aligns closely with Egypt’s Vision 2030, yielding fruitful cooperation in infrastructure, energy, and technology.
“Today, over one hundred Chinese entrepreneurs are here,” Liao said, “bringing advanced technologies, manufacturing expertise, and a genuine desire for partnership. We also welcome Egyptian companies to visit China and explore new horizons for cooperation.”
Jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Cairo, the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), and the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association, the forum served as a platform for dialogue and coordination, exploring new engines for bilateral growth through presentations and thematic discussions on textiles, renewable energy, and the digital economy.
As the event drew to a close, it became clear that Cairo and Beijing, though separated by distance, walk side by side along one path — the Modern Silk Road — stretching from the Great Wall to the Nile’s edge, where shared ambition weaves the fabric of tomorrow.
