Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic and industrial ties following high-level talks between Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, Kamel El-Wazir, and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, focused on translating the long-standing strategic partnership between Cairo and Washington into concrete industrial projects, expanded trade, and increased investment flows. Discussions centered on localization of industry, logistics development, and opportunities for deeper private-sector engagement.
El-Wazir outlined Egypt’s strategy to position itself as a regional manufacturing and logistics hub serving Middle Eastern and African markets. A key pillar of this strategy is industrial localization, aimed at expanding domestic production of high-demand goods to reduce reliance on imports and strengthen supply chain resilience. The minister highlighted opportunities for American companies to partner with Egyptian entities in sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to industrial technology.
Green energy cooperation also featured prominently in the talks, reflecting Egypt’s broader push to integrate renewable energy into its industrial base. Officials discussed prospects for U.S. investment and expertise in clean energy projects, energy-efficient manufacturing, and sustainable industrial practices, particularly as Egypt seeks to align economic growth with environmental goals.
Transportation and logistics infrastructure was another focal point of the meeting. El-Wazir pointed to Egypt’s large-scale investments in railways, ports, dry ports, and logistics corridors, noting that U.S. technical know-how and private investment could play a significant role in modernizing these networks and enhancing Egypt’s role as a regional trade gateway.
The Egyptian side emphasized that the government is working to maintain a pro-business environment through regulatory reforms, investment incentives, and streamlined procedures. These measures are intended to attract foreign direct investment and encourage global manufacturers to use Egypt as a base for regional production and export.
Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau reiterated the United States’ view of Egypt as a key partner and a pillar of regional stability with significant economic potential. He stressed the importance of the U.S.-Egypt Strategic Dialogue as a framework for advancing economic cooperation and facilitating greater involvement of the private sector in joint projects.
Landau also noted growing interest among American companies in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital and its specialized industrial zones, which are increasingly seen as attractive destinations for foreign investment. These zones, designed to host high-value industries and advanced manufacturing, are part of Egypt’s broader effort to upgrade its industrial ecosystem and attract technology-driven investment.
The meeting comes amid renewed momentum in U.S.-Egypt economic relations, as both sides seek to expand trade volumes, promote investment-led growth, and strengthen cooperation in strategic sectors. Officials on both sides indicated that discussions would continue in the coming period through institutional channels and business-to-business engagement, with the aim of converting policy alignment into tangible economic outcomes.
