Egypt, Qatar to Develop New Strategy for Investment Cooperation

Chairman of the Egyptian Investment Authority Hossam Heiba meets with Tariq Al-Ansari, Qatar's ambassador to Cairo. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the Egyptian Investment Authority Hossam Heiba meets with Tariq Al-Ansari, Qatar's ambassador to Cairo. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Egypt, Qatar to Develop New Strategy for Investment Cooperation

Chairman of the Egyptian Investment Authority Hossam Heiba meets with Tariq Al-Ansari, Qatar's ambassador to Cairo. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the Egyptian Investment Authority Hossam Heiba meets with Tariq Al-Ansari, Qatar's ambassador to Cairo. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Egypt and Qatar discussed developing a new strategy and work mechanism to increase economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.

CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) Hossam Heiba met with Qatari Ambassador Tariq Ali al-Ansari in Cairo to explore avenues for increasing economic cooperation.

After the meeting, GAFI issued a statement, a copy of which was received by Asharq Al-Awsat, saying they focused on establishing cooperation mechanisms that would facilitate seamless economic integration.

The mechanisms may involve implementing mutually beneficial projects in Egypt or the infusion of joint investments into emerging markets, particularly the African market, especially after activating the African Free Trade Area Agreement and Egypt's accession to the BRICS Plus group.

Heiba asserted the importance of continuous communication with Qatari companies investing in Egypt, stressing the need to engage with them, encouraging them to inject new investments and overcome any challenges they may encounter.

Additionally, efforts were made to connect with major Qatari companies interested in investing in Egypt, presenting them with attractive opportunities in various sectors such as real estate, entrepreneurship, logistics, and distribution centers.

During the meeting, Heiba reviewed investment developments in Egypt and the new investment guarantees and incentives provided to investors.

The official also explained the facilities provided to investors, including facilitating land ownership, expanding the issuance of the golden license, and enhancing governance, transparency, and competitive neutrality in the Egyptian market.

He highlighted the integrated and competitive package of incentives and facilities for each economic sector, which contributed to achieving a qualitative shift in the rate of establishing companies.

The Qatari ambassador praised Egypt's economic reforms and measures, expressing the confidence of Qatari investors in the Egyptian economy.

Ansari announced plans for the coordination between representatives of the Egyptian government to hold the Qatar-Egypt Investment Forum regularly after its success in 2023.

Cairo hosted the Qatar-Egypt Investment Forum last November, during which Egyptian and Qatari companies signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding in real estate, food industries, and cars.



Riyadh Air Orders 60 Airbus A321neo Planes

Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website
Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website
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Riyadh Air Orders 60 Airbus A321neo Planes

Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website
Riyadh Air planes. Photo: Riyadh Air website

Saudi Arabia's newest airline Riyadh Air said on Wednesday it had placed an order for 60 Airbus narrowbody A321-family jets as it prepares to start operations in 2025.

The deal, signed at the Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh, brings to 132 the total number of jets ordered by the Saudi startup, which last year ordered 39 Boeing 787 Dreamliners with options for 33 more.

The creation of Riyadh Air by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund is part of a broader Saudi strategy to diversify its economy and boost tourism.

“This deal underlines the airline’s ambitious intentions in advance of next year’s launch, as it builds a comprehensive international network and establishes Riyadh as a major strategic global aviation hub,” Yasir Al Rumayyan, governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and chairman of Riyadh Air, said.

CEO of Commercial Aircraft at Airbus Christian Scherer said: “The latest generation A321neo aircraft will bring exceptional efficiency to the airline's operations, concrete contributions to its decarbonization goals and comfort to its passengers. We look forward to working together to support the strong ambitions of Saudi aviation."