President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi said Egypt and Indonesia aim to increase bilateral trade to $5bn by 2030, while expanding joint manufacturing projects and attracting more Indonesian investment to the Egyptian market.
Al-Sisi made the remarks following talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Presidential Palace in Jakarta during an official visit on October 10-11, focused on advancing the two countries’ strategic partnership and coordinating positions on regional and international issues.
The two presidents witnessed the signing of four memorandums of understanding covering maritime affairs and fisheries, statistical cooperation, an action plan for the strategic partnership, and visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports.
Al-Sisi said the two countries had agreed to prioritise trade growth and work to remove obstacles to achieving the $5bn target. They also agreed to expand joint manufacturing in priority sectors and strengthen Egypt’s role as a production and export hub serving Arab, African and international markets.
A joint statement issued during the visit welcomed progress in cooperation between Indonesia’s Danantara and Egypt’s Future of Egypt for Sustainable Development Authority, particularly in the production and distribution of crude palm oil and its derivatives, as well as phosphate fertilisers and related raw materials.
The two leaders encouraged the institutions to broaden cooperation into infrastructure, energy, logistics and agribusiness, while promoting market access, investment and joint manufacturing.
Egypt and Indonesia also agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation and strengthen political coordination through regular high-level visits and existing bilateral mechanisms, including the joint committee.
On Nile water, Al-Sisi described the river as an existential issue for Egypt, reiterating Cairo’s commitment to safeguarding its water rights and rejecting unilateral measures that could undermine its water security.
Prabowo expressed regret over any violations of international law or attempts to diminish states’ water rights, and voiced support for Egypt’s efforts to protect its interests. The joint statement also emphasised adherence to international law governing transboundary waterways, including the principle of avoiding significant harm.
The presidents also discussed the Palestinian Cause, reaffirming their support for an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
They rejected any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians and condemned continued Israeli military operations in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as settlement policies and activities. Both sides called for full, safe and sustained humanitarian access to Gaza.
The talks also addressed escalating tensions in the Gulf. Both leaders called for immediate de-escalation and restraint, stressing the importance of respecting state sovereignty and territorial integrity, safeguarding freedom of navigation and maintaining energy security.
In education, culture and youth, the two presidents agreed to expand cooperation. Prabowo welcomed Al-Azhar University’s November 2025 decision to introduce Indonesian language studies at its Faculty of Languages and Translation.
Al-Sisi said Egypt continued to receive thousands of Indonesian students each year at Al-Azhar and other Egyptian universities, describing educational and cultural ties as a central pillar of relations between the two countries.
