Foreign Minister Meets Egyptian Businessmen and Investors

By,ABID SIDDIQUE CHAUDHRY

Upon his arrival in Cairo, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi met leading Egyptian businessmen and investors at a dinner.

The Foreign Minister outlined the government’s focus on Economic Diplomacy and the steps taken to create a favorable business and investment climate in the country. He underscored the opportunities existing in diverse areas in Pakistan for Egyptian businessmen and investors, in particular in the energy, construction, pharmaceutical, tourism, Informational Technology and logistics sectors. He stressed that leading multinational companies were consistently showing higher profits in Pakistan, as compared to their global average.

The Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of enhanced collaboration between business communities of the two countries. He accorded priority to the revival of Pakistan-Egypt Joint Business Council (JBC).

The Egyptian businessmen and investors shared their perspectives on various opportunities and suggested ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade and investment.

The delegation comprised key Egyptian investors, including El Sewedy Electric, which is keen on investing in Pakistan’s power distribution sector; and the tech-startup Swvl. Other businessmen included the Secretary General of Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, Chairman of Foreign Trade Association and Chairman Expo link.

The President and CEO of El-Sewedy Electric, Ahmed El Sewedy, also called on Foreign Minister Qureshi separately. In the meeting, he briefed the Foreign Minister about the company’s investment strategy and aspirations in Pakistan. He said a team of experts would soon visit Pakistan to identify priority areas for investment.

Economic diplomacy remains a priority for the Foreign Minister during his ongoing visit to Egypt (16-18 February 2021).