Egypt wants to turn its preferential ties with the U.S. into Pakistan’s gateway to American customers via manufacturing

Egypt has invited Pakistani businesses to set up manufacturing hubs in the country and use its preferential trade arrangements with the United States to reach the American market, subject to relevant trade rules.

• Egypt has invited Pakistani businesses to set up manufacturing hubs and use Egypt’s preferential trade access to the US market.
• Pakistan’s Commerce Minister met with officials from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia during the COMCEC session in Turkey to discuss trade and investment expansion.
• Key focus areas for Pakistan-Egypt cooperation include textiles, cotton, and forming industrial partnerships.
• Discussions with Saudi and Tunisian officials centered on joint ventures, industrial cooperation, agriculture, and workforce training.

Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan raised the deal during meetings with officials from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia at the 42nd session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) in Istanbul, Türkiye.

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In talks with Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Mohamed Farid Saleh, Khan discussed expanding trade and investment, with a particular focus on textiles and cotton.

Saleh outlined opportunities for Pakistani companies to establish manufacturing operations and form industrial partnerships in Egypt.

He also asked for information about Pakistani businesses expected to attend an upcoming business forum, so the two countries’ business communities could explore potential deals.

In response, Pakistan’s Commerce Minister called for more joint ventures between Pakistani and Egyptian companies, saying stronger business and institutional ties could help both countries expand trade and reach new markets.

During his meeting with Saudi official Fareed S. Alasaly, the two sides discussed cooperation in agriculture and industrial development, including workforce training, livestock and food security.

Khan also proposed partnerships between leading companies in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to pursue opportunities in African markets, as reported by Business Recorder.

In talks with Tunisia’s Trade and Export Development Minister Samir Abid, Khan discussed ways to increase trade and strengthen industrial cooperation.

Both ministers said trade between the countries remains below its potential and identified agriculture, minerals, textiles, auto parts and manufacturing as areas for closer collaboration.

Khan said Pakistan and Tunisia could benefit from sharing technical expertise and industrial experience, improving production practices and encouraging joint ventures.

According to the US Embassy in Egypt, the two countries recently signed a bilateral deal called the Strategic Objective Agreement for Advancing Mutual Prosperity.

Under the deal, the United States and Egypt agreed to work together “to leverage Egypt’s strategic economic advantages, including its geographic position, large workforce, and growing markets, to expand Egyptian economic modernization, private-sector growth, and opportunities for American businesses.”