Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a significant step toward deepening bilateral ties, Egypt and Russia are fast-tracking the implementation of two flagship projects: the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant and the Russian Industrial Zone (RIZ) in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone). These developments come in the wake of high-level talks held in Cairo between Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdel Aaty and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk.
During their meeting, both officials reaffirmed the longstanding, strategic relationship between Cairo and Moscow, highlighting the momentum in cooperation across political, economic, and technical fields. Minister Abdel Aaty expressed Egypt’s appreciation for the historical and dynamic partnership with Russia, particularly emphasizing the outcomes of the 15th session of the Egyptian-Russian Joint Committee for Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation. A notable outcome of this session was the signing of the land usufruct agreement for the Russian Industrial Zone in Egypt.
The Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant and the RIZ project were underscored as top priorities. Abdel Aaty stressed Egypt’s commitment to providing all necessary facilities and guarantees to ensure the successful execution of these ventures. He also highlighted their strategic value in driving economic development and fostering technological collaboration between the two countries.
Beyond industrial and energy collaboration, the discussions extended to key sectors including transportation, tourism, and civil aviation. The Egyptian minister welcomed the significant rise in Russian tourist arrivals, calling it a testament to the strong cultural and people-to-people ties. He noted ongoing coordination between aviation and tourism authorities in both nations, which continues to support the tourism sector and strengthen cultural exchange.
As part of his visit, Deputy Prime Minister Overchuk met with Walid Gamal El-Din, Chairman of the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone, and conducted an on-site inspection of the RIZ’s construction progress in Ain Sokhna. Overchuk emphasized the zone’s strategic importance to Russia, describing it as a critical platform for advancing bilateral industrial cooperation, fostering innovation, and generating job opportunities.
Overchuk also lauded the industrial zone’s location, stating that Ain Sokhna is among the world’s largest industrial clusters due to its direct access to the port of Ain Sokhna. This proximity offers logistical advantages, allowing seamless access to global markets, particularly in the Global South.
The Suez Canal Economic Zone is a major logistical and industrial hub, encompassing six seaports and four industrial zones. It accounts for around 20% of global container trade and 10% of overall maritime trade. The RIZ’s location is strategically connected by infrastructure, including electrical grids, a road network linking Ain Sokhna with Suez and Hurghada ports, a dedicated freight railway, and a modern seaport just 9 kilometers away. On-site facilities already include water treatment plants and a power substation, underscoring the project’s advanced state of readiness.
The Russian delegation, led by Overchuk, included senior government officials, business leaders, and representatives from economic organizations. In a related business conference held in Cairo, Russian officials underscored the importance of introducing Russian enterprises to the investment opportunities in the SCZone. Overchuk noted that the RIZ offers competitive tax and customs incentives, streamlined project facilitation, and tailored services, positioning it as a gateway for Russian companies aiming to expand into African markets.
The conference also addressed practical implementation challenges, reaffirming both sides’ shared commitment to advancing industrial cooperation. Discussions centered on operational logistics, investment frameworks, and mechanisms for ongoing bilateral support to ensure the RIZ becomes a cornerstone of Egypt-Russia economic collaboration.
As Egypt and Russia push forward with these major initiatives, their partnership appears poised to enter a new phase of strategic depth, grounded not only in diplomacy but in tangible, large-scale development projects with wide-reaching regional implications.
