Sisi promotes Egypt for investment and trade during visit to Portugal

President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi discussed investment opportunities in Egypt during his meeting with a business delegation in Lisbon on Tuesday. He referred to Egypt as one of the most important markets in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The meeting was attended by the Portuguese ministers for trade, foreign affairs, industry and investment. They were accompanied by senior representatives of Portugal’s leading companies in the fields of engineering, construction, communication technology, chemicals, renewable energy, agriculture and food, finance and banking, and defence.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cairo, Sisi pointed to the recent economic reforming programme adopted by his government which, he said, proves its intention to develop and achieve sustainable economic growth.

Presidential spokesperson Ambassador Alaa Youssef said that the Portuguese stressed the importance of enhancing communication between the two countries in order to develop trade and explore more areas for mutual cooperation and investment opportunities. In addition, he called for more visits and workshops to discuss economic, investment and trade relations between Egypt and Portugal.

According to Youssef, the Egyptian president had been keen to make the visit to Lisbon as an important part of developing relations with Portugal. Sisi himself noted that trade between Egypt and Portugal has never exceeded €200 million per annum and expressed his wish to strengthen relations with European partners. Egypt, he added, has trade agreements with EU member states and is the main gateway to Africa.