Egypt’s Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem held discussions with a delegation from the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, led by Chairperson Omar Mehanna, to explore ways of strengthening trade and industrial cooperation between Egypt and the United States.
The meeting forms part of preparations for the chamber’s upcoming “Door Knock” mission to Washington, which aims to deepen economic engagement and address key bilateral trade issues. Senior officials from the Ministry of Industry also attended.
At the outset, Hashem underlined the depth and resilience of Egypt-US relations, built on decades of cooperation across multiple sectors. He urged the U.S. Department of Commerce to reconsider temporary duties imposed on Egyptian rebar exports, noting that easing these measures would support the competitiveness of Egyptian steel in the US market.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding trade ties with the United States across a wide range of sectors, alongside efforts to attract further American investment into Egypt. He noted that ongoing discussions between officials from both countries are aimed at elevating bilateral economic relations to a more advanced level.
Hashem highlighted emerging opportunities for US companies in Egypt, particularly in data centres and artificial intelligence-driven industries that support industrial development. He also pointed to strong potential for US participation in renewable energy projects, including the development, installation, and operation of energy systems within industrial zones.
He stressed that the private sector remains a central partner in achieving Egypt’s industrial development objectives, adding that the ministry is currently reviewing the national industrial development strategy to better align with global and regional shifts. The updated strategy will prioritise key industries and reinforce supply chains to strengthen Egypt’s position within global manufacturing networks.
The minister also outlined ongoing efforts to streamline procedures for industrial land allocation, making it easier for investors to establish projects. In parallel, the government is advancing the concept of “productive villages” by leveraging regional competitive advantages, while providing small-scale industrial workshops, concessional financing, and technical support to integrate smaller enterprises into larger value chains.
In addition, Hashem revealed plans to introduce new sustainable financing mechanisms through industrial investment funds, enabling citizens to participate in funding promising industrial ventures. The first of these funds is expected to be launched in the fourth quarter of the year.
He further noted continued coordination with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to strengthen linkages between academic research and industrial needs, including plans to establish a technology park aimed at fostering innovation and commercialising research outputs.
