Egypt, UK Discuss Boosting Exports, Investor Support

Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid Saleh held talks on Wednesday with Mark Bryson-Richardson, the United Kingdom’s ambassador to Cairo, to explore avenues for expanding export opportunities and strengthening investor support mechanisms between the two countries.

The meeting, attended by senior officials from both sides, focused on deepening economic and investment ties, with particular emphasis on trade balance, green transformation, and financing mechanisms to support regional expansion.

At the outset of the meeting, the minister reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to strengthening economic relations with the United Kingdom, describing it as one of Egypt’s most important trade and investment partners.

British companies are among the largest foreign investors in the Egyptian market, contributing to job creation, export growth, and the transfer of expertise, he noted.

Discussions included ways to expand the access of Egyptian agricultural exports to the British market, a move aimed at improving trade balance and enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian products abroad.

Farid outlined the ministry’s current priorities, highlighting a comprehensive digital transformation of government services. Plans include the development of integrated and updated databases to ensure greater accuracy, transparency, and faster information exchange.

He stressed that reliable and modernized data systems are central to improving institutional efficiency and creating a more transparent investment climate.

The minister also emphasized efforts to adopt faster and more effective mechanisms to resolve investor disputes, through direct coordination with relevant government bodies. The objective, he said, is to create a more predictable and investor-friendly business environment while attracting strategic investments in priority sectors and strengthening Egypt’s industrial base.

On his part, Ambassador Bryson-Richardson reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to expanding economic cooperation with Egypt, noting that Britain remains one of the largest foreign investors in the country.

He underscored opportunities for collaboration in export finance and regional infrastructure projects, particularly across Africa. The ambassador also highlighted the importance of deepening partnerships in green transformation and sustainable investment, areas seen as pivotal for future bilateral growth.

A key topic of discussion was enhancing cooperation with UK Export Finance, the UK’s export credit agency, known for its global financing capabilities.

Officials explored mechanisms to support Egyptian companies, particularly in construction and real estate development, seeking to expand into African markets. Proposed frameworks include joint risk-sharing arrangements in cooperation with local insurance providers, aimed at improving competitiveness and facilitating cross-border projects.