Cairo: Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania Al Mashat commended the robust ties between Egypt and Armenia, emphasizing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s commitment to fostering economic, trade, and investment relations with Armenia. This commitment was notably demonstrated during the Armenian Prime Minister’s visit in 2024 and the President’s focus on activating institutional mechanisms like the joint committee to enhance bilateral relations.
According to State Information Service Egypt, these remarks were made during a discussion panel with Gevorg Papoyan, Armenia’s Minister of Economy, aimed at bolstering economic partnerships and exploring cooperative opportunities between both governments and their private sectors. The meeting marked the commencement of the sixth session of the Egyptian-Armenian Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation in the New Administrative Capital.
Minister Mashat extended a warm welcome to the Armenian delegation
, congratulating Armenia on its 2025 peace agreement and its successful hosting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Annual Meetings in 2024. She emphasized that the EBRD’s decision to expand into Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions underscored the significance of these meetings.
Highlighting shared interests, Mashat affirmed Egypt’s intention to deepen bilateral relations with Armenia, stressing the need for enhanced collaboration across economic, trade, scientific, and cultural domains. She underscored Egypt’s dedication to creating an inviting investment climate for Armenian investors, presenting numerous incentives across sectors.
Mashat noted Egypt’s economic growth, driven by strategic public investment governance and structural reforms aimed at stabilizing the macroeconomy, localizing industry, and boosting investments. She cited recent market entries by companies in textile manufacturing and solar panel production as examples of positive economic developments.
Food securi
ty remains a top priority for Egypt, Mashat stressed, identifying it as a promising area for cooperation in light of Armenia’s agricultural expertise. She also highlighted the Egyptian-Armenian Joint Committee’s pivotal role in facilitating bilateral cooperation, detailing the draft protocol of the sixth session that outlines potential collaboration across sectors such as trade, investment, renewable energy, and education.
Despite historical and political ties, Mashat acknowledged that economic relations have yet to reach their potential. However, she observed a positive momentum and identified increased trade and joint investments as priorities.
Discussions also focused on agricultural cooperation, with an emphasis on modern agricultural extension methods to improve productivity and resilience against challenges. The Armenian Minister of Economy expressed gratitude for Egypt’s hospitality and reiterated Armenia’s focus on bolstering trade and investment with Egypt post-peace agreement with Azerbaijan.
The
Armenian Minister highlighted ongoing development projects under China’s Belt and Road Initiative as opportunities for collaboration with Egypt’s private sector. He extended an invitation to Minister Mashat for the upcoming Investment Summit in Armenia next May.