UAE, Egypt Coordinate Efforts to Enhance Investment Projects

Egyptian Minister of Local Development, Hisham Amna, during his meeting with UAE Ambassador to Cairo, Maryam al-Kaabi (Ministry of Local Development)
Egyptian Minister of Local Development, Hisham Amna, during his meeting with UAE Ambassador to Cairo, Maryam al-Kaabi (Ministry of Local Development)
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UAE, Egypt Coordinate Efforts to Enhance Investment Projects

Egyptian Minister of Local Development, Hisham Amna, during his meeting with UAE Ambassador to Cairo, Maryam al-Kaabi (Ministry of Local Development)
Egyptian Minister of Local Development, Hisham Amna, during his meeting with UAE Ambassador to Cairo, Maryam al-Kaabi (Ministry of Local Development)

Egypt and the UAE agreed to continue coordination and communication to enhance cooperation in investment projects.

This came as the UAE welcomed cooperation with the Egyptian government on the presidential initiative "A Decent Life."

Egyptian Minister of Local Development, Hisham Amna, met with the UAE Ambassador to Cairo, Maryam al-Kaabi, reiterating the deep Egyptian-Emirati relations at all political, economic, and cultural levels.

The Egyptian Minister welcomed the Emirati investments in Cairo, asserting the government's keenness to provide all support to increase and expand investments in a way that contributes to job opportunities.

Kaabi referred to the directives of the UAE leadership to provide all necessary support to further deepen bilateral relations with Egypt in all fields, especially the economic and investment sectors, and to make every effort to attract more Emirati investors to Egypt.

She praised the presidential initiative to develop the Egyptian countryside, which would contribute to changing the lives of millions of citizens.

Kaabi referred to the critical role played by the Egyptian community in all sectors, and Egyptian competencies that contributed to the building and renaissance of the UAE, pointing to the directives of the UAE leadership to provide all necessary support to deepen further bilateral relations between the two countries in all fields.

Egypt enjoys great human power in the Arab world and possesses advantages and economic elements that make it capable of attracting investments. She said it is also distinguished as a central hub and regional center for transit to the African continent and Europe.

The Local Development Ministry stated that the meeting reviewed areas of cooperation between the Ministry of Local Development and the UAE, especially in training, qualifying cadres, and supporting small, medium, and micro-enterprise projects.

The Egyptian Minister welcomed the exchange of experiences with the UAE regarding Egypt's hosting of the World Urban Forum at its 12th session in 2024, after the Emirate's successful hosting of the "Urban Forum" in 2020.

He also reviewed several areas of cooperation between Egypt and the UAE, including supporting the Ministry's "Local Development Fund" for small and micro-credit for women and the economic blocs of some governorates, especially in Upper Egypt.



Spain Gives Green Light for Saudi STC to Raise Stake in Telefonica to 9.97%

STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo
STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo
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Spain Gives Green Light for Saudi STC to Raise Stake in Telefonica to 9.97%

STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo
STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder - File Photo

The Spanish government has given the green light to Saudi Arabia's largest telecoms operator, STC Group, to raise its stake in Telefonica beyond 5% and reach 9.97%, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said on Thursday.

Cuerpo confirmed an earlier report by El Pais newspaper during a news conference following the cabinet's weekly meeting in which the stake increase was approved, Reuters reported.

"Measures and conditions have been set and accepted voluntarily by the Saudi company to ensure that (the operation) takes place," Cuerpo told reporters.

He said the government's decision followed an "exhaustive analysis based not only on compliance with current legislation but also to guarantee the national interest in defense and ensure the strategic element in telecommunications".

Last year, STC said it aimed to build up an interest of 9.9% in the Spanish telecoms company worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.53 billion) and become a major shareholder.

The Saudi group said at the time it owned a 4.9% stake in Telefonica and financial instruments giving it another 5% in what it called economic exposure to the company.

The Spanish government had to authorize the deal as Telefonica is considered a defence service provider and therefore a strategic company.

The Saudi company has said it does not intend to gain control of or a majority stake in Telefonica.