Egypt, Qatar Agree to Boost Relations, Increase Investments

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly during his meeting with the Qatar Chamber and the Qatari Businessmen Association (Egyptian Cabinet)
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly during his meeting with the Qatar Chamber and the Qatari Businessmen Association (Egyptian Cabinet)
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Egypt, Qatar Agree to Boost Relations, Increase Investments

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly during his meeting with the Qatar Chamber and the Qatari Businessmen Association (Egyptian Cabinet)
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly during his meeting with the Qatar Chamber and the Qatari Businessmen Association (Egyptian Cabinet)

Egypt and Qatar agreed to boost relations and increase investments to establish trade alliances and partnerships.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced that the exchange rate issue would soon be solved after the black market rate approached the official rate.

Madbouly called on the business sector in Qatar to invest in his country, stressing his determination and the governmental team accompanying him to remove all obstacles that prevent exciting projects by adopting several reforms and incentives.

On Tuesday, Madbouly met representatives of the Qatar Chamber and the Qatari Businessmen Association.

Chairperson of Qatar Chamber (QC) HE Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani said that the meeting aimed to discuss aspects and opportunities for cooperation between the Qatari private sector and its Egyptian counterpart in the economic, trade, and investment fields.

Bin Jassim hoped that the meeting would promote mutual investments to reach higher rates of trade exchange, which witnessed remarkable development in recent years.

Qatari businessmen are monitoring the remarkable developments of the Egyptian economy, and the big boom in infrastructure and development projects which provide many investment opportunities said the Chairperson.

He indicated that it incentivized Qatari business owners to direct their investments to the Egyptian market, especially with feasible opportunities in various sectors such as agriculture, food security, industry, real estate, hospitality, and others.

Bin Jassim expressed confidence that the coming period would witness increased rapprochement between Qatari and Egyptian businessmen, preparing a solid ground for establishing alliances and partnerships.

Madbouly stated that Egypt is prepared to approve laws on more tax incentives, including exempting investors from 55 percent of the taxes they pay in their investment field. He underlined that Egypt focuses on promoting the private sector's economic participation.

He explained that some international companies working in Egypt requested the introduction of specific incentives, which the parliament approved.

Several Qatari investors expressed their desire to speed up the establishment of the Egyptian-Qatari joint investment fund with significant capital, according to Madbouly.

Over the past nine years, the Egyptian state faced significant political challenges, including two revolutions and a war on terrorism, said the PM, adding that the focus at that stage revolved around developing and strengthening the infrastructure.

Egypt was able to improve and develop its infrastructure in various fields and sectors, establish a national network of roads, and provide essential services, which aims to achieve the goal of promoting investments.

Madbouly also stressed that the Egyptian state is determined to provide many investment incentives and focused on incentives in agriculture, industry, tourism, and advanced industries and technologies.

He noted that Egypt is a large market, adding that the state is keen to reduce the deficit in its hard currency resources, which can only be achieved by encouraging the private sector to find local industries.

During Madbouly's visit to Qatar, three memorandums of understanding were signed with several Qatari companies to support and enhance aspects of the partnership with the private sector in providing healthcare services.



Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

 An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

 An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Saturday the Rapid Support Forces’ attack against a humanitarian aid convoy in Sudan’s Kordofan.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom expressed its strong condemnation of the attack against Al-Kuweik Military Hospital, a humanitarian aid convoy affiliated with the World Food Program, and a vehicle transporting displaced civilians.

“These acts are unjustifiable under any circumstances and are flagrant violations of all humanitarian norms and relevant international agreements,” it stressed.

“The Kingdom called on the RSF to immediately cease these violations and to fulfill their moral and humanitarian obligations by ensuring the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need, in accordance with international humanitarian law and the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023,” it added.

The Kingdom reiterated its firm position in support of Sudan’s unity, security, and stability, the need to preserve its legitimate institutions.

It voiced its rejection of “foreign interference and the continued actions of certain parties in supplying illicit weapons, mercenaries, and foreign fighters, despite their stated support for a political solution,” saying such “conduct is a primary factor in prolonging the conflict and exacerbating the suffering of the Sudanese people.”

A drone attack by the RSF hit a vehicle carrying displaced families in central Sudan Saturday, killing at least 24 people, including eight children, a doctors’ group said, a day after a World Food Program aid convoy was targeted.

The attack occurred close to the city of Rahad in North Kordofan province, said the Sudan Doctors Network, which tracks the country’s ongoing war. The vehicle was transporting displaced people who fled fighting in the Dubeiker area, the group said in a statement. Among the dead children were two infants.


OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
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OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) General Secretariat strongly condemned on Saturday the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in Islamabad.

The secretariat stressed its categorical rejection of terrorism in all its forms, especially those targeting places of worship.

It underlined its firm stance in condemning these criminal acts, which are contrary to human values and religious principles.

The OIC offered its sincere condolences to the government and people of Pakistan and to the families of the victims.

It also reiterated its full solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts to combat terrorism and boost its security and stability.

At least 30 people killed in a suicide bombing at a Muslim mosque during Friday prayers.


Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
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Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)

Bahrain and France signed on Friday a joint defense cooperation agreement during talks between King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The French presidency said the agreement consolidates cooperation in the field of defense, training and exchange of strategic information.

“This agreement will ⁠also open ‌up ‍new ‍opportunities for industrial ‍cooperation in defense, and strengthen solidarity between our two countries in a ⁠global and regional geopolitical context marked by increasing tensions,” it added.

The agreement was signed by Bahrain’s National Security Adviser and Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and France’s Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Alice Rufo.

Macron highlighted the depth of the historical relations between Bahrain and France, as well as the progress achieved across various domains in support of common interests, reported Bahrain’s state news agency (BNA).

For his part, King Hamad commended the French president’s keenness to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The talks also addressed means to bolster bilateral relations across all sectors to achieve shared interests.

Both sides commended the efforts of the Joint Bahraini-French High Committee. They highlighted the positive outcomes achieved in advancing cooperation and underlined the importance of continuing the committee’s work to expand cooperation across various domains.

The talks addressed regional and international developments, and efforts aimed at resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic solutions and reducing tensions.