Egyptian Industry Minister Khaled Hashem met with German business leaders this week to discuss expanding industrial cooperation and addressing operational challenges. The roundtable, which included German Ambassador Jürgen Schulz, focused on attracting small and medium-sized enterprises to the Egyptian market.
Strategic Advantages and Incentives
Hashem cited Egypt’s infrastructure, free trade agreements, and geographic location as primary assets for German firms seeking access to Middle Eastern and African markets. The ministry is currently implementing a program to develop local suppliers and integrate them into global supply chains. A new “Qima” certificate will assess factories based on local content, research and development, and workforce training.
Automotive and Economic Outlook
The minister highlighted the National Automotive Industry Development Programme as a tool for localizing vehicle production. Several global companies have recently announced investments in tire manufacturing and electric vehicle batteries. Ambassador Schulz noted that bilateral trade reached approximately €6 billion last year. He stated that German companies remain interested in Egypt’s investment climate, particularly regarding human capital development. The German-Arab Chamber of Industry and Commerce, celebrating its 75th anniversary, continues to facilitate technology transfer and job creation as both nations look to deepen their long-standing economic ties.