Montreal: In a strategic move to bolster Egyptian-Canadian collaboration in the burgeoning green hydrogen sector, the Egyptian Commercial Service Office in Montreal, spearheaded by Commercial Counselor Sherif Erfan, organized a significant virtual meeting. This initiative, in conjunction with the Investment Promotion Department of the Egyptian Commercial Service, brought together the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone and David Billedeau, President of the Canadian Hydrogen Association, to explore avenues for enhancing cooperation in green hydrogen projects.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the meeting was attended by key figures including Minister Plenipotentiary Mostafa Sheikoun, Vice President of the Authority for Investment Promotion, and Dr. Mohamed Abu El-Dahab, Director of the Green Economy Department at the Authority. The President of the Canadian Hydrogen Association laid out the association's role as a pivotal national business entity that represents over 200 leading companies in Canada's hydrogen sector. His emphasis was on collaborating internationally to expedite clean hydrogen solutions and aid the transition towards a low-carbon economy.
Dr. Mohamed Abu El-Dahab provided insights into ongoing projects within the Suez Canal Economic Zone, particularly those related to green hydrogen and ammonia production. He outlined the investment incentives offered by Egypt and discussed memoranda of understanding with international firms. The Canadian Hydrogen Association President extended an invitation to the Suez Canal Authority to engage in a comprehensive meeting with the association's member companies in March and to participate in the Canadian Hydrogen Conference in Edmonton in April 2026.
The meeting also concluded with plans for a delegation of Canadian companies to visit Egypt next year, along with preparations for signing a memorandum of understanding to strengthen institutional cooperation and attract Canadian investments in the green hydrogen sector. Minister Plenipotentiary Dr. Abdel Aziz El-Sherif, Head of the Egyptian Commercial Service, highlighted the meeting as part of a broader effort to promote investment opportunities in the Suez Canal Economic Zone and support Egypt's ambition to become a regional and global hub for green hydrogen production and export.
Dr. El-Sherif underscored the potential for Canadian firms to invest in producing low-cost green hydrogen for export to Europe and Asia. He noted ongoing coordination efforts to establish formal agreements between the Canadian Hydrogen Association and the Suez Canal Authority, aiming to attract Canadian expertise in managing the hydrogen value chain. He also mentioned that as of February 2025, approximately 938 Canadian or Canadian-participated companies operate in Egypt, with total investments around US$1.7 billion, including US$314 million from Canadian sources, across sectors like oil and gas, petrochemicals, and telecommunications.