Minsk: Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid Saleh has announced Egypt's strategic push to become a regional hub for manufacturing and exporting agricultural and heavy machinery, targeting African and Arab markets. This initiative aligns with the State's strategy to enhance local industrialization and integrate advanced technology.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the minister's recent visit to Minsk included tours of prominent Belarusian factories such as MTZ Tractors, MAZ trucks and buses, and the Minsk Dairy Plant. This visit, part of his official trip to Belarus, coincided with the Egyptian-Belarusian Joint Committee meetings, where prospects for industrial cooperation were extensively discussed.
A preliminary agreement to conduct a feasibility study for establishing a joint industrial complex with MTZ was highlighted by the minister. This complex aims to localize the production of tractors and heavy agricultural machinery in Egypt, boosting local content rates. The project is expected to enhance exports to regional markets, lower import costs, and generate employment opportunities.
Egypt's strategic location and extensive network of free trade agreements position it as a potential regional logistics hub for maintenance services, spare parts supply, and re-export activities. During his visit to the MAZ factory, Farid explored opportunities for establishing production and assembly lines for trucks and buses in Egypt. This initiative aims to address local market needs and broaden the scope into neighboring markets, contributing to the development of the transport and engineering sectors.
The minister also visited the Minsk Dairy Plant No. 1 to assess the latest dairy and lactose production technologies. Discussions with company officials included a proposal for a joint project in Egypt to produce powdered milk and infant formula using locally sourced raw materials, enhancing product value and competitiveness.
Farid emphasized that these initiatives are part of a broader vision to establish sustainable industrial and investment partnerships between Egypt and Belarus. He also announced the organization of a joint business forum featuring 24 major Egyptian companies from the pharmaceutical, iron and steel, and textile sectors.
Belarusian company officials expressed readiness to transfer technical expertise and provide training to the Egyptian side. They identified establishing production lines or joint factories in Egypt as a strategic priority for expanding into African and Middle Eastern markets.