Cairo:Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly emphasized the importance of strengthening coordination and consultations between Egypt and Kazakhstan at regional and international forums, focusing on the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). This collaboration highlights the two countries' shared views on several issues of mutual interest.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Madbouly made these remarks during a meeting with Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi and his delegation at the Egyptian government headquarters in the New Capital. The meeting was attended by Kazakh Ambassador to Egypt Askar Zhenis, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Amr Hamza, and Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister for Central Asian Affairs Dalia Tantawy.
Madbouly welcomed Tleuberdi's visit as the first official visit to Cairo by a Kazakh foreign minister since 1998, presenting an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations and revive high-level exchanges. He expressed Egypt's eagerness to welcome Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Cairo, seeing it as a chance to build on President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's successful 2016 visit to Kazakhstan.
The prime minister reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to developing ties across various fields and called for practical steps to activate existing cooperation mechanisms. He stressed holding the sixth session of the Egyptian-Kazakh Joint Committee in Astana and convening a meeting of the two countries' business councils to boost private-sector links and explore new investment opportunities.
On the economic front, Madbouly noted the recent growth in bilateral trade, reaching $300 million by the end of 2025, and emphasized the need for continued consultations to expand trade and increase Egyptian exports to Kazakhstan. He highlighted Egypt's strategic location and extensive trade agreements that link it to Arab, African, and European markets.
Madbouly encouraged Kazakh companies operating in Egypt and called for greater reciprocal investment. He urged the private sectors of both countries to explore opportunities in agriculture, grain production, trade, mining, chemicals, textiles, food processing, construction, furniture, renewable energy, and pharmaceuticals. He also suggested establishing a Kazakh logistics center in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
The prime minister underscored the importance of cultural and educational cooperation as a key pillar of bilateral relations. He praised Kazakhstan's contribution to restoring the Sultan al-Zahir Baybars Mosque in Cairo and the role of the Egyptian-Kazakh University of Islamic Culture Nur-Mubarak in promoting academic cooperation. Madbouly highlighted the scholarships offered by Al-Azhar and the Ministry of Higher Education for Kazakh students.
In tourism, Madbouly welcomed the increase in Kazakh visitors to Egypt and called for further cooperation in tourism and air connectivity, including the launch of regular direct flights between Cairo and Astana.
Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi thanked Madbouly for the warm welcome and hospitality, describing his visit as an effort to support and expand cooperation across various sectors. He praised Egypt's progress in urban development and highlighted Kazakhstan's experience in moving its capital from Almaty to Astana.
Tleuberdi expressed hope for further cooperation that would serve the interests of both nations. He looked forward to hosting the sixth session of the Joint Committee in Astana and exploring additional cooperation opportunities, especially in technology, artificial intelligence, and the energy sector.