Cairo: Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, the Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, engaged in extensive discussions with Mark Mitchell, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce, during the Port Infrastructure and Maritime Innovation Conference organized by the Commercial Office of the US Embassy in Cairo. The meeting aimed to explore avenues for enhancing cooperation across various transport and logistics sectors.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the meeting included participation from Robert Silverman, Charg© d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Cairo; Major General Nihad Shahin, Deputy Minister of Transport for Maritime Transport; and Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar, President of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport. The discussions highlighted the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States, with a focus on expanding relations beyond trade and investment.
El-Wazir stressed the modernization of Egypt's national infrastructure and discussed opportunities for future joint initiatives. He highlighted prospects such as managing port terminals, attracting American shipping lines, and creating joint industrial-logistics zones near strategic ports. These zones are envisioned to bolster the manufacturing of goods for export to the US and streamline the processing of American raw materials, thus positioning Egypt as a major hub for US manufacturing and supply chains in the Middle East.
The Minister outlined several projects available for American investment and collaboration, including managing major container and cargo terminals at Al-Max Port and the Port of Damietta, and constructing an iron ore terminal at Al-Adabiya Port. Additional opportunities involve building a commercial shipyard in Damietta and developing global logistics zones at the Port of Gargoub, Port of Salloum, and Sadat City Industrial Estate.
El-Wazir emphasized the strategic importance of Gargoub Port along Mediterranean trade routes and the potential for collaboration in electric traction systems and international trade corridors to enhance Egypt's role as a regional transit hub.
Mark Mitchell echoed the significance of US-Egypt relations and acknowledged the development within Egypt's transport sector as reflected in the presented projects. He noted that these initiatives could bolster the national economy and expand bilateral trade. He affirmed the US government's commitment to supporting public and private partnerships in transport and logistics, with plans for the US Department of Commerce to coordinate with American companies for joint project implementation.
Source: State Information Service Egypt