Sahar Ragab
The Egypt–China Investment Forum 2025 officially kicked off today, organized by the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association (EBA) in cooperation with the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Cairo, with the participation of top government officials and leading figures from both countries’ business communities.
The opening session was attended by Eng. Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade; Ling Ji, Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative; Eng. Magd El-Din El-Manzalawi, Secretary General of the EBA; Liao Liqiang, Ambassador of China to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League; and MP Mohamed Abou El-Enein, Deputy Speaker of Egypt’s House of Representatives.
El-Manzalawi: The Forum Crowns Years of Cooperation Since 2007
In his opening remarks, Eng. Magd El-Din El-Manzalawi described the forum as the culmination of a long-standing vision that the Association has pursued since 2007, when it established the Committee for the Development of Economic Relations with China, believing that China represents the future of the global economy.
He emphasized the EBA’s engagement with President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), noting that the Association joined the Belt and Road Industrial and Commercial Alliance (BRICA), participated in its founding conference in Beijing in 2016, and hosted the first session of the alliance in Cairo in 2017.
Strengthening Industrial Cooperation and Technology Transfer
El-Manzalawi noted that this year’s forum focuses on three key sectors representing the pillars of future development:
Textiles and ready-made garments
Information and communication technology in the age of artificial intelligence
Infrastructure and renewable energy
He proposed the establishment of joint Egypt–China technological and research centers to transfer and localize advanced industrial, agricultural, and technological expertise. He also suggested creating a specialized Egypt–China industrial zone for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and traditional Chinese medicine to serve African markets, along with joint investment funds to support SMEs in technology, sustainable tourism, and bio-industries.
A Shared Vision for Sustainable Development
El-Manzalawi stressed that the next stage requires enhancing international cooperation with China, given the strategic partnership between the two nations. He highlighted Egypt’s keenness to benefit from China’s experience in manufacturing, industrial training, and technology transfer to create job opportunities for Egyptian youth and drive sustainable growth.
In conclusion, he extended sincere appreciation to the Embassy of China in Cairo, the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, and the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) for their efforts in making the forum a success.
He affirmed that the Egypt–China Investment Forum 2025 serves as a strategic platform for dialogue, partnership, and mutual development, marking a new milestone in the journey of economic and investment cooperation between Cairo and Beijing.