Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Türkiye and Egypt are stepping up diplomatic and economic engagement as they move toward an ambitious goal: raising their bilateral trade volume to 15 billion dollars. The renewed momentum comes ahead of the second meeting of the Türkiye–Egypt High-Level Commercial Consultation Mechanism, scheduled for December 1–2 in Cairo, where officials will seek to deepen cooperation and address persistent structural challenges.
The upcoming talks, organized by the Turkish Ministry of Trade, are expected to focus on expanding commercial ties, identifying sector-specific opportunities, and resolving obstacles that have slowed the pace of economic integration. The agenda includes improvements in customs procedures, easing business visa requirements, and strengthening institutional frameworks that support cross-border investment.
Egypt remains Türkiye’s largest trade partner on the African continent. Bilateral trade reached 8.8 billion dollars in 2024, with Turkish exports totaling 4.2 billion dollars and imports from Egypt reaching 4.6 billion dollars. From January to October this year, Türkiye exported nearly 3 billion dollars’ worth of goods to the Egyptian market, reflecting a steady trajectory that both governments hope to accelerate.
Business leaders say the Cairo meeting carries heightened expectations. Orhan Aydin, chair of the Anatolian Lions Businessmen Association (ASKON), described the talks as a critical moment to move beyond general declarations and toward precise action plans. He noted that the presidents of both countries have already set the 15-billion-dollar target, and the private sector now hopes for a detailed roadmap that identifies how that goal will be reached.
Aydin highlighted that Türkiye holds strong positions in several Egyptian market segments, yet new areas of cooperation are emerging as both economies diversify. He pointed to the need for eliminating bureaucratic hurdles and expediting procedures in order to unlock deeper collaboration in sectors where the two countries have mutual strengths. “Customs processes should be streamlined, and business visa procedures accelerated so Turkish brands can expand their presence in Egypt,” he said.
Another priority on the table is the development of mechanisms that would allow the two countries to conduct a greater share of their trade in local currencies, thereby reducing exposure to exchange-rate volatility. According to Aydin, such steps would directly support exporters and importers, especially in sectors sensitive to currency fluctuations. Egypt now ranks among Türkiye’s top 20 destinations for exports and imports, with Turkish exports to Egypt increasing by 25 percent.
Beyond established industries, Aydin pointed to a set of promising “surprise sectors” that could shape the next phase of economic cooperation. These include defense technologies, renewable energy, transportation and logistics, and tourism. Egypt’s demographic growth and expansive development agenda, he said, create strong opportunities for Turkish firms, particularly those in contracting, engineering, and construction materials.
Major infrastructure and megacity projects underway across Egypt, combined with regional reconstruction needs especially in neighboring Gaza, are expected to drive significant demand for Turkish expertise. Türkiye has previously signaled its readiness to contribute to reconstruction efforts, and the commercial consultation mechanism is seen as a platform to ensure greater participation of Turkish contractors and consultancy companies in long-term Egyptian projects.
Turkish investment in Egypt has already reached roughly 4 billion dollars, underscoring the scale of economic ties and the potential for further growth. Officials and business groups on both sides say the upcoming consultations in Cairo will play a pivotal role in shaping the next chapter of Türkiye–Egypt cooperation, one defined not only by increased trade volumes, but by broader strategic and economic alignment after years of fluctuating diplomatic relations.
