Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, held talks with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the transport and industrial sectors.
During the meeting, Al-Wazir underscored the depth and resilience of the longstanding strategic relationship between Egypt and the United States, reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to expanding cooperation across a wide range of fields, particularly in industry and transport.
The minister highlighted the extensive collaboration between Egypt’s Ministry of Transport and American companies, especially in the railway sector. He pointed to partnerships with General Electric—now Wabtec—and Progress Rail, which have played a key role in enhancing railway traction power and improving passenger services.
Al-Wazir also referred to cooperation with Honeywell, alongside Germany’s Siemens, in implementing Egypt’s high-speed electric rail network. In addition, he noted the role of U.S.-based Hill International as a consulting firm for the East and West Nile monorail projects.
He stressed that several American factories are already operating in the Egyptian market, reflecting the government’s strong interest in further expanding cooperation with U.S. companies across various sectors. Al-Wazir extended an open invitation to American firms to invest in Egypt, emphasising the availability of promising and viable investment opportunities.
Maritime transport was identified as a key area for enhanced cooperation, with Al-Wazir highlighting Egypt’s 19 commercial ports. He called on U.S. companies to participate in the management, operation, and concession of a number of port terminals, particularly international maritime terminals at the ports of Berenice, Sokhna, Safaga, Alexandria, and Gargoub.
He added that Egyptian ports have successfully attracted major global terminal operators and leading international shipping lines, and are integrated with the national high-speed electric rail network.
The Deputy Prime Minister also stressed the importance of increasing the number of U.S. manufacturing facilities in Egypt, in line with the strength of bilateral relations and the advanced technological base of American industry. He singled out new and renewable energy industries as among the most promising areas for expanded cooperation, citing Egypt’s favourable investment climate and ongoing efforts to advance industrial development.
For his part, Landau reaffirmed the strength of Egyptian-American relations and expressed strong U.S. interest in expanding economic cooperation with Egypt, particularly in light of the comprehensive development underway across multiple sectors and the successful track record of U.S.-backed projects in the country.
He noted that he had met with the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, whose members praised the close cooperation between the Egyptian government and the Chamber in promoting investment and joint economic growth.
Landau emphasised the importance of broadening collaboration in sectors including renewable energy, automotive manufacturing, aviation infrastructure, technology, and the management and operation of maritime terminals. He added that the investment opportunities presented during the meeting would be introduced to American companies to further enhance bilateral cooperation in line with the strong and strategic partnership between Egypt and the United States.
