Egypt has invited Pakistani businesses to establish factories and manufacturing facilities in the country, offering them a potential route to the US market through its preferential trade arrangements with Washington.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan and Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Mohamed Farid Saleh, in Istanbul, Türkiye.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 42nd Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC).
Both ministers discussed ways to increase bilateral trade, attract investment, and strengthen industrial cooperation, particularly in the textile and cotton sectors.
Saleh encouraged Pakistani companies to explore manufacturing partnerships and set up industrial operations in Egypt. He highlighted the country’s trade arrangements with the United States, which could help Pakistani investors access the American market through Egypt, subject to applicable rules of origin and other trade requirements.
The Egyptian minister also requested details of Pakistani companies expected to attend the upcoming business forum to help arrange direct meetings with Egyptian businesses and explore potential partnerships.
He also highlighted affordable educational opportunities for Pakistani students in science, technology, medicine, healthcare, and engineering.
Jam Kamal stressed the need for joint ventures between Pakistani and Egyptian businesses, particularly in textiles, manufacturing, and other industries. He said stronger private-sector engagement and institutional cooperation could help both countries expand trade and explore new markets.
Pakistan Discusses Trade and Investment With Saudi Arabia and Tunisia
During a separate meeting, Jam Kamal met Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Governor for International Organizations and Agreements, Fareed S. Alasaly, to discuss cooperation in agriculture, industrial development, human resource development, livestock, and food security.
Both sides agreed to strengthen economic cooperation. The Pakistani minister proposed partnerships between major Pakistani and Saudi businesses to explore emerging commercial opportunities in African markets.
He also called for greater institutional and private-sector engagement to turn potential trade opportunities into actual business partnerships.
In another meeting, Jam Kamal held talks with Tunisia’s Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Abid, on expanding bilateral trade and industrial cooperation.
Both ministers acknowledged that trade between Pakistan and Tunisia remains below its potential.
Their discussions covered agriculture, minerals, textiles, auto parts, and manufacturing. They also explored joint ventures, knowledge sharing, and technical cooperation to improve industrial productivity and competitiveness.
