Egypt deepens global transport, industrial partnerships through strategic engagement at Connectivity Forum
During his visit to Türkiye to participate in the Global Transport Connectivity Forum 2025, Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, spearheaded a comprehensive diplomatic and investment outreach aimed at reinforcing Egypt's global role in transport and industrial integration.
Al-Wazir's mission included a series of high-level meetings with international industry leaders, starting with Ugur Dalbeler, Vice President of the World Steel Association and Deputy Head of Türkiye's Steel Producers Association. The two sides discussed expanding collaboration in the iron and steel sector, a strategic industrial priority for Egypt. Al-Wazir underlined Egypt's determination to localise heavy industries, enhance domestic manufacturing, and grow exports through the adoption of advanced global technologies and mutually beneficial partnerships.
At a roundtable hosted by the Turkish Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MÜSİAD), the minister addressed leading Turkish investors across sectors such as textiles, chemicals, food processing, logistics, and energy. He presented Egypt's competitive edge, including its young and cost-efficient labour force, prime geographic location linking Africa, Asia, and Europe, and preferential access to international markets through over a dozen free trade agreements. These advantages, he said, establish Egypt as a prime hub for manufacturing, exports, and global trade.
Al-Wazir also took part in the forum's high-level ministerial session, 'The Future of Connectivity in a Fragmented World,' alongside Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and representatives from the United Nations. In his remarks, he spotlighted Egypt's investment in multimodal transport corridors that integrate regional production zones with international trade routes. He stressed the central role of the Suez Canal—through which over 100 vessels transit daily—and detailed ongoing upgrades to Egypt's seaports, logistics centres, and high-speed rail lines as part of a broader vision to reinforce the country's logistical connectivity.
Further advancing regional cooperation, Al-Wazir met with Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Grozdan Karadjov to accelerate bilateral agreements in maritime and logistics. Key among these was a planned memorandum of understanding between Alexandria Port and Bulgaria's Port of Burgas. The talks also explored joint industrial ventures focused on technology transfer and coordinated exports to African markets.
Al-Wazir stressed that Egypt is transitioning from a traditional transit corridor to a fully integrated hub for transport and production. He presented Egypt as a stable and strategic partner within global supply chains, contributing actively to initiatives such as China's Belt and Road Initiative, the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), and the emerging Development Road linking Iraq, the Gulf, and Europe.
Concluding his visit, Al-Wazir reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to strengthening regional and global economic integration. He extended an open invitation to international partners—particularly from Türkiye and Bulgaria—to invest in Egypt's transport infrastructure and manufacturing sectors. Emphasising the importance of shared infrastructure, technology-driven planning, and resilient logistics networks, he reiterated Egypt's readiness to support investors committed to engaging with its real economy and contributing to a redefined regional trade landscape.
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