This marks the first session of the committee in 30 years, following the agreement signed during the visit of the Polish President to Egypt in 2022.
Egypt and Poland establish a new historical phase of economic partnership with the convening of the first session of the Joint Committee after a 30-year hiatus.
Al-Mashat: Signing of the protocol for the first session of the Joint Committee and agreement to deepen cooperation in 16 key areas, primarily investment, trade, and agriculture.
A high-level Polish delegation, including investors, economists, businessmen, and government representatives, will visit Egypt in the first quarter of 2025.
A shared vision prioritizing the economy in bilateral relations, aligned with regional and international changes.
The development in relations reflects the strategic partnership between Egypt and the European Union.
Egypt is a gateway for Polish investments and goods to the Middle East and Africa.
Exchange of expertise in communications, technology, and increased trade and investment missions.
Encouraging Polish companies to invest in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
Focus on technology localization, industry, and climate action as priorities.
Polish Minister of Economic Development: Egypt is the EU's most important partner in the region.
The Joint Committee elevates Egyptian-Polish relations to new, diversified horizons.
Acknowledgement of Egypt's development efforts, with the "RORO" line contributing to increased trade exchange with Europe.
Support for Egypt’s relations with European partners during Poland’s presidency of the EU.
H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, and Krzysztof Paszyk, Minister of Economic Development and Technology of Poland, chaired the first session of the Egyptian-Polish Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation in Warsaw, marking the first such meeting in 30 years. This meeting follows the signing of the economic cooperation agreement during the Polish President’s visit to Egypt in 2022.
The two Ministers signed the protocol for the first session of the Joint Committee, which outlined cooperation in 16 developmental sectors as the basis for future collaboration. These areas include enhancing trade exchanges, boosting economic and investment cooperation, and sharing expertise across several fields. The protocol specifically emphasized the mutual interest in supporting cooperation in priority areas such as communications and information technology, through the exchange of expertise, missions, capacity building, and collaboration on smart city projects. Additional sectors covered by the agreement include investment, the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the environment, health and pharmaceuticals, electricity and renewable energy, space, higher education, agriculture, trade and economic cooperation, maritime, inland, and air transport, the development of small and medium enterprises, water resources and irrigation, tourism, internal trade, and housing.
The two sides also agreed on the visit of a high-level Polish delegation to Egypt in the first quarter of 2025. This delegation, consisting of investors, economists, businessmen, and government representatives, will aim to strengthen economic partnerships and explore opportunities in Egypt, launching the implementation of the outcomes from the first Joint Committee session.
In H.E.’s speech at the ministerial meeting, Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized the significant progress in economic relations between Egypt and Poland, highlighting cooperation in various key sectors.
H.E Minister Al-Mashat noted that the partnership between the two countries spans several decades of mutual collaboration and is underpinned by a strategic relationship based on mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation across political and economic domains.
H.E. Minister Al-Mashat also referred to the visit of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, who welcomed the Polish President during his visit to Egypt in May 2022, which underscored the momentum achieved in bilateral relations.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat affirmed the shared vision for prioritizing economic ties in the bilateral relationship, aligning with regional and international developments. H.E. emphasized that Egypt serves as a gateway for Polish investments and goods to the Middle East and Africa.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that the outcomes of the Joint Committee session open opportunities for deeper collaboration in areas of shared interest, particularly in exchanging expertise in communications and technology. This is in order to increase trade and investment missions, encourage Polish companies to invest in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, and focus on technology localization, industry, and climate action.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also highlighted the merger of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, reaffirming that this would enhance the importance of the Joint Committee and expand the scope of cooperation. This comes particularly in light of the ministry's efforts to strengthen economic development policies, improve investment expenditure governance, and create space for the private sector, as well as encouraging both local and foreign investments.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized that the Egyptian government is giving significant attention to improving the investment climate to attract private investments across various sectors, particularly within the framework of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the European Union.
H.E. Minister Al-Mashat pointed to the joint declaration signed in March to elevate relations, which guarantees investments worth 1.8 billion euros for private sector companies to enhance their presence in the Egyptian market. This initiative involves European institutions, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank, in addition to grants from the EU to reduce the cost of credit for the private sector.
H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted investment opportunities for Polish companies in Egypt, particularly in renewable energy, green hydrogen, industrial localization, and capacity building. H.E. referred to Egypt's comprehensive economic and structural reform program, which aims to enhance macroeconomic stability and financial policy flexibility, thereby opening the door for private sector companies.
H.E. Minister Al-Mashat pointed out that Egypt prioritizes food security, water security, and energy security, which could provide significant opportunities for cooperation with Poland.
The Polish Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Krzysztof Paszyk, affirmed that Egypt is the EU's most important partner in the Middle East. He noted that Poland will hold the presidency of the EU Council in 2025, which provides opportunities to further support Egypt-EU relations.
He also emphasized the importance of the first session of the Joint Committee, given its role in activating significant economic and trade partnerships with Egypt, and stated that Poland is well-prepared to enhance and expand trade and investment exchanges with Egypt.
The Polish side expressed appreciation for Egypt's development efforts, particularly the “RORO” line, which facilitates the transport of goods using refrigerated and dry trucks and contributes to opening export markets for Egyptian agricultural products in Italy and across Europe.
The ministerial committee meeting was attended by Ahmed El-Ansary, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Poland; Mr. Waleid Gamal El-Dein, Chairman of the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone; Ambassador Yasser Hashem, Deputy Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Northern and Central Europe; Mr. Bassem Farouk, Minister Plenipotentiary and Head of the Commercial Office at the Egyptian Embassy; as well as representatives of the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation; Mr. Michał Murkocinski, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Cairo; Magdalena Skarżynska, and Andrzej Dycha, Chairman of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency; Mr. Marek Kłoczko, President of the Polish Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Rafał Zelazny, President of the Katowice Special Economic Zone; and representatives from the Polish Ministries of Economic Development and Foreign Affairs, among others.