Egypt Looks Forward to Arab Industrial Integration

The Egyptian Ministers of Industry, Supply and Finance during the inauguration of 13th Kuwait Week Exhibition in Egypt on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
The Egyptian Ministers of Industry, Supply and Finance during the inauguration of 13th Kuwait Week Exhibition in Egypt on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
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Egypt Looks Forward to Arab Industrial Integration

The Egyptian Ministers of Industry, Supply and Finance during the inauguration of 13th Kuwait Week Exhibition in Egypt on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
The Egyptian Ministers of Industry, Supply and Finance during the inauguration of 13th Kuwait Week Exhibition in Egypt on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

Egypt’s Minister of Trade and Industry Ahmed Samir inaugurated on Tuesday the 13th Kuwait Week Exhibition in Cairo. 

More than 60 major Egyptian and Kuwaiti companies have taken part in the two-day event, which is held under the theme “Kuwait in Egypt” and organized by the Kuwaiti embassy in Cairo and Jabriya Exhibition Group.

Ministers of supply, finance, civil aviation, immigration and public business sector also attended the opening ceremony.

Samir said Cairo is keen to bolster economic cooperation and integration among Arab states, which would contribute to achieving food security and launching an industrial system based on exchanging expertise, technologies, and production inputs to reach the level of Arab industrial integration.

“Egypt and Kuwait enjoy strong economic relations at the bilateral and multilateral levels, in line with the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) agreement,” Samir said, noting that the two countries also play an important role within the joint Arab action system.

He pointed to the investment opportunities available in Egypt for Kuwait’s business community in various productive and service sectors to provide the needs of the Egyptian market and export to foreign markets,

Samir indicated that the products manufactured in Egypt have free access to many markets and major economic blocs across the world thanks to the preferential free trade agreements signed between Egypt and these countries and blocs.

He said that the event represents an economic bridge that helps boost bilateral economic cooperation in various fields and at different levels.

“Both governments are keen to take advantage of the great potentials and capabilities enjoyed by Egypt and Kuwait and translate them into tangible cooperation projects that serve their people’s interests.”

He underlined the common visions between Kuwaiti and Egyptian officials that stress the importance of strengthening joint efforts to address the negative repercussions of the current global economic crisis resulting from the coronavirus pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

The volume of trade exchange between Egypt and Kuwait amounted to about $306 million in 2021, compared to about $252 million in 2020, up 21.4%.

Meanwhile, the volume of trade exchange between the two countries amounted to about $401 million during the first 11 months of 2022.

Kuwait's Ambassador to Egypt Ghanim al-Ghanim, for his part, said holding the event in Cairo underscored the importance of boosting joint cooperation in various fields and at various levels.

He said the event is an expo of Kuwaiti and Egyptian industry, trade, investment, banking, medicine, tourism, media, culture and communication businesses and government bodies.



Saudi Energy Minister Emphasizes Arab Cooperation in Addressing Energy Challenges

Group photo of the ministers and members of the Board of Directors of the Arab Energy Fund. (SPA)
Group photo of the ministers and members of the Board of Directors of the Arab Energy Fund. (SPA)
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Saudi Energy Minister Emphasizes Arab Cooperation in Addressing Energy Challenges

Group photo of the ministers and members of the Board of Directors of the Arab Energy Fund. (SPA)
Group photo of the ministers and members of the Board of Directors of the Arab Energy Fund. (SPA)

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman underscored the importance of Arab collaboration in overcoming energy sector challenges and promoting sustainability, calling for restoring Arab unity and joint action to achieve strategic goals in energy.

He made his remarks at the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Arab Energy Fund (formerly APICORP) in Riyadh, attended by UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei, Kuwaiti Oil Minister Tareq Al-Roumi, Libyan Oil and Gas Minister Dr. Khalifa Abdul Sadiq, and Qatari Energy Minister and CEO of QatarEnergy Saad Al-Kaabi.

Prince Abdulaziz expressed pride in hosting the event, reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting Arab energy initiatives. He highlighted the ongoing restructuring of the Arab Energy Organization to better align with future needs, ensuring its role in sustainable development and meeting member states’ demands.

The minister noted that upcoming projects by the Arab Energy Fund will diversify energy sources while aligning with global efforts to reduce emissions and combat climate change.

The Arab world is committed to adapting to the evolving energy landscape while maintaining regional identity and cooperation, he added.

Arab unity and collective action are essential for addressing regional and international challenges, whether economic, social or cultural, he remarked.

CEO of the Arab Energy Fund, Khalid Al-Ruwaigh pointed to the institution’s progress since its founding in 1975 with a capital of $320 million. He revealed that over five decades, its assets have grown to exceed $10 billion, reflecting its role in supporting the energy sector and sustainability efforts.

Al-Ruwaigh said the fund’s success is measured not just by its financial growth but also by its impact on energy development. He announced a new strategic vision focused on innovative financial solutions, including debt instruments and investments in both conventional and renewable energy, to support member states’ sustainability goals.

Relocating the fund’s headquarters to Riyadh reinforces its position as a trusted financial institution in a major global financial hub, he noted

Moreover, Al-Ruwaigh unveiled the fund’s new identity and logo, symbolizing Arab cooperation for sustainable energy development. The logo’s triangular elements represent the ten member states, while its circular design reflects the fund’s commitment to a circular economy and long-term energy sustainability.