Egyptian exporters signed 17 contracts worth an estimated $168m with Chinese importers during the “Export to China” event, as the government seeks to expand and diversify Egyptian exports to the Chinese market.
The contracts cover exports of flax, textile yarn, leather, copper, aluminium, sugar cane and oranges, according to the Egyptian Commercial Service (ECS) under the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade.
The event was jointly sponsored by Egypt’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade and China’s Ministry of Commerce, in coordination with the Chinese Embassy in Cairo and the Egyptian Exporters Association.
It brought together 16 Chinese importing companies and around 40 representatives from Egyptian exporting companies operating across the agricultural, food, metals, engineering, leather and textile sectors.
Sayed Fouad, Minister Plenipotentiary Commercial and Head of the Asia Department at the ECS, said bilateral meetings between Egyptian exporters and Chinese companies resulted in the 17 export contracts.
He added that the agreements were the result of coordination between the ECS, the Chinese Embassy, Chinese counterparts and the Egyptian Exporters Association.
Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid said the ministry is working to open additional markets for Egyptian products, expand the exporter base and increase the use of opportunities available in priority markets, particularly China.
Farid said securing actual export contracts is a key objective of the ministry’s promotional activities, emphasising the need to move beyond product promotion towards direct and sustainable relationships between Egyptian exporters and international buyers.
The minister also said Egypt seeks to increase companies’ access to Chinese initiatives and cooperation frameworks while attracting additional Chinese investment into productive and export-oriented industries.
Such investment, he added, could support technology and knowledge transfer, increase local value added and strengthen the competitiveness of Egyptian industry.
Abdel Aziz El Sherif, First Undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade and Chairperson of the Egyptian Commercial Service, said the agency is working to increase and diversify Egyptian exports to China and help local companies benefit from Chinese initiatives.
He noted that the $168m in contracts demonstrates the importance of directly connecting Egyptian exporters with buyers in target markets and following up on commercial opportunities until they result in actual export agreements.
The ECS also highlighted China’s decision to exempt exports from African countries from customs duties for two years starting 1 May 2026, describing the measure as an opportunity to improve the competitiveness of Egyptian products and expand their access to the Chinese market.
The agency said its commercial offices in Beijing and Shanghai will follow up on the implementation of the newly signed contracts and coordinate with Chinese counterparts to identify additional export opportunities for Egyptian companies.
The event forms part of Egypt’s broader efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties with China through frameworks including the Belt and Road Initiative, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and BRICS.
