Cairo: Engineer Hassan Al-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, took part in the activities of the Egypt-Switzerland Economic Forum organized by the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Egypt. The forum was attended by several prominent figures, including Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population; Mr. Ashraf Naguib, co-founder and CEO of Global Trade Matters; Dr. Andreas Baum, Ambassador of Switzerland to Cairo; Ms. Helene Budliger Artieda, Swiss State Secretary for Economic Affairs; and Engineer Kamal Abdel Malek, Chairman of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce in Egypt.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Minister Al-Khatib emphasized that the partnership between Egypt and Switzerland is an exemplary model of close cooperation, highlighting the robust bilateral relations, especially in precision industries, pharmaceuticals, and heavy industries. He noted this partnership showcases a genuine complementarity between the industrial and technological capacities of both countries.
Al-Khatib mentioned that European countries are increasingly seeking geographically closer and more flexible partnerships to enhance competitiveness and reposition supply chains. He underscored Egypt's strategic location and growing productive capacities as pivotal assets in this context.
The minister explained that trade relations between Egypt and Switzerland are experiencing significant momentum, with bilateral trade reaching approximately US$2.3 billion last year and a surplus in Egypt's favor. This indicator, he remarked, illustrates the strength of the two countries' economic relations.
Al-Khatib further elaborated on the presence of over 100 Swiss companies in Egypt, operating in advanced industrial and technological fields. These companies serve as efficient production and export platforms, reflecting the accumulated confidence in the Egyptian economy and paving the way for deeper partnerships, including local manufacturing and technology transfer.
He expressed Egypt's aspiration to become a regional hub for producing and exporting green energy and environmentally friendly products, supporting the global shift towards a green economy. The minister concluded by emphasizing that the nation's human capital, comprising about 30 million students, is the driving force behind Egypt's economic and technological growth.
He reiterated the government's commitment to enhancing partnerships with Swiss companies through investment, technology transfer, and job creation, emphasizing the state's readiness to provide a stable and stimulating investment environment.