Egypt: Egypt is seeking to attract more Indian companies to establish manufacturing operations in the country, deepen local production, and use Egypt as a base for exports to African and Arab markets, Industry Minister Khaled Hashem said on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Hashem highlighted that strong political ties between Egypt and India provided a solid foundation for expanding economic and industrial cooperation. However, he noted that the current level of investment and industrial partnerships between the two nations remained below the potential that their markets could offer.
Hashem's remarks came during a meeting attended by Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid and representatives of major Indian companies and business groups affiliated with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Egyptian businessmen from the leather, packaging, food, and chemical industries were also present.
The meeting was held at the conclusion of Hashem's participation in the BRICS Industry Ministers' Meeting in Jaipur. During the event, Hashem stated that Egypt aims to shift its economic relationship with India beyond mere trade by encouraging Indian companies to manufacture in the Egyptian market, transfer technology, increase local content, and develop domestic suppliers.
He further elaborated that Egypt plans to leverage its position as a production and export hub serving African and Middle Eastern markets, along with other markets with which it has trade agreements. Hashem emphasized that the private sector should lead this transformation, while the government would focus on creating a suitable investment environment, resolving investor issues, and connecting Indian companies with local partners.
The government intends to provide investors with information on industrial sites and necessary services to expedite projects from planning to implementation stages. The meeting brought together Indian companies operating or interested in investing in chemicals, energy, electricity grids, food, grain storage, consumer goods, and infrastructure, including TCI Sanmar, SVC Industries, Ocior, Sterlite, ITC, and Reliance Industries.
Hashem noted that discussions revealed a strong foundation for expanding cooperation, particularly citing the success of TCI Sanmar's chemical industry operations in Egypt as a practical example of the potential for large-scale Indian industrial investments. The discussions also covered new investment opportunities in sectors aligning with Egypt's priorities, such as food industries, strategic grain storage, consumer goods, infrastructure, and industry-related services.
The meeting explored opportunities to build on Ocior's hydrogen and green ammonia project and to draw on Indian expertise in electricity transmission networks and energy-related infrastructure through Sterlite.