New cairo: US and Egyptian officials convened for the US-Egypt Ports Infrastructure and Maritime Innovation Forum in New Cairo to deliberate on the advancement of port development, maritime technology, artificial intelligence, and investment prospects. The event, held on Sunday, August 23, 2026, marked a significant step in fostering cooperation between the two nations.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the forum was inaugurated by US Embassy Charg© d'Affaires Robert Silverman and US Deputy Secretary of Commerce Mark Mitchell, with Egypt's Transport Minister Kamel el Wazir addressing the attendees. The US Embassy highlighted that American companies showcased cutting-edge technologies poised to bolster Egypt's port infrastructure and artificial intelligence sectors, paving the way for enhanced trade and investment opportunities between the US and Egypt.

Silverman emphasized the United States' commitment to supporting Egypt's aspirations to establish top-tier maritime infrastructure. He noted that American companies are strategically positioned to vie for emerging projects and strengthen bilateral commercial partnerships. Mitchell underscored Egypt's strategic role in global trade and technology, indicating that US-Egypt collaboration could facilitate the modernization of maritime transport, the development of the Suez Canal corridor, and the integration of advanced US artificial intelligence and data infrastructure technologies.

The forum served as a platform for connecting American enterprises with potential ventures in Egypt's maritime, logistics, data, and cloud computing sectors. Key Egyptian figures in attendance included Suez Canal Economic Zone Chairman Mostafa Sheikhon, North Sinai Governor Khaled Megawer, and Deputy Transport Minister for Maritime Transport Nihad Shahin. The US aims to bolster bilateral trade and private-sector investment through its partnership with Egypt in maritime infrastructure and technology.