● Al-Mashat witnessed the signing of two cooperation documents between the Egyptian and Tajik private sectors to boost tourism exchange.
● Dr. Rania Al-Mashat: The Business Forum reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.
● Egypt presents promising investment opportunities thanks to its strategic location and promising development sectors.
● The government is keen to enhance economic competitiveness and improve the business environment.
● We welcome Tajik investments and invite the private sector to explore cooperation opportunities and establish partnerships.
H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, inaugurated the Egypt-Tajikistan Business Forum, held in the Tajik capital "Dushanbe," with the participation of representatives from more than 50 Egyptian and Tajik companies. This was during her chairmanship of the Egyptian side of the Egyptian-Tajik Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation in its third session, in the presence of Mr. Sultan Rahimzadeh, Tajik Minister of Investment, along with many government officials and representatives of relevant national entities.
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat witnessed the signing of two cooperation documents between Egyptian companies Red Sea Travel and Selfie Travel and the Tajik company Safari Komil to enhance joint cooperation in tourism and the exchange of tourist groups. Al-Mashat also signed, with the Tajik side, an action plan between the two countries' investment authorities to enhance efforts in information exchange and investment cooperation.
In her speech, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized that the Egypt-Tajikistan Business Forum marks the culmination of ongoing efforts to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, highlighting the vast potential for cooperation. Egypt, with its strategic location, diverse economy, and abundant resources, offers numerous opportunities for investment and partnership. Likewise, Tajikistan, as a resource-rich country with emerging sectors and a commitment to economic growth, presents promising opportunities for Egyptian businesses.
She added that the forum aims to increase trade exchange between the two countries, reflecting their deep historical and cultural relations. She pointed to the potential for expanding the reach of Egyptian products in the Tajik market, especially in sectors such as leather goods, certain foodstuffs, and pharmaceuticals.
Al-Mashat also highlighted the Egyptian government’s national structural reform program, which focuses on three key areas: strengthening macroeconomic resilience, enhancing economic competitiveness, and improving the business environment, in addition to supporting economic growth and the green transition. This aims to stabilize the macroeconomy and stimulate the private sector’s role as a key partner in driving economic development and supporting the green transition, thereby opening future horizons for comprehensive and sustainable development. She emphasized that the structural reforms implemented by the state in recent years affirm Egypt’s commitment to expanding opportunities for the private sector and achieving economic growth driven primarily by domestic and foreign investment, in line with the objectives of the State Ownership Policy Document.
The Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation reaffirmed Egypt’s welcoming stance towards Tajik investments within the framework of the government's new program, which seeks to increase private sector participation in economic activities as a main driver of growth, in order to restore economic recovery.
She also stressed the importance of exerting efforts to enhance cooperation and increase the volume of trade exchange between Egypt and Tajikistan to match the size and strength of their economies. She noted the increase in Tajik investments in Egypt from January 2019 to January 2024, including companies operating in Cairo, Alexandria, and the Red Sea Governorate, as well as the rising number of Tajik tourists visiting Egypt in recent years. However, there remains significant potential for further growth, especially as Egypt continues to maintain a positive image in Tajikistan.
Al-Mashat also noted the rise in Egyptian exports to Tajikistan in 2023, including glass and related products, furniture, pharmaceuticals, oils, foodstuffs, textiles, fish, and books. Tajik exports to Egypt included specific types of clothing, cotton yarn, sports shoes, oil seeds, machinery, equipment, and certain rubber products.
She affirmed that while Egypt and Tajikistan face several challenges, including geographical distance and transportation difficulties, these obstacles can be overcome through cooperation between private sector companies from both sides, contributing to elevating economic relations to a level that aligns with the deep political and cultural ties between the two countries.
In conclusion, the Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation invited various Tajik companies to participate in the fourth session of the Joint Committee in Cairo to explore investment opportunities up close and strengthen partnerships with the Egyptian private sector.
The forum was attended by more than 50 Egyptian and Tajik companies, including about 18 Egyptian companies operating in various economic sectors, such as industry, construction, agriculture, food industries, pharmaceuticals, aviation, tourism, furniture, wood industries, and healthcare.