Rédaction Africa Links 24 with MENA
Published on 2024-02-11 10:07:50
During a meeting on Saturday, February 10, 2024, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly emphasized the potential for collaboration between Egypt and Bulgaria in the economic realm. He expressed the Egyptian government’s eagerness to enhance trade relations between the two countries. Madbouly also praised the progress in bilateral ties that both countries have experienced in the past few years.
The meeting was attended by Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Mariya Gabriel, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Bulgarian Ambassador to Egypt Deyan Katratchev, and Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs Khaled Emara. Madbouly commended Gabriel’s efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and highlighted the fruitful cooperation between Egypt and Bulgaria in food security. He mentioned the possibility of increasing the import of Bulgarian wheat and oil seeds to Egypt while exporting Egyptian vegetables and citrus to Bulgaria.
Furthermore, Madbouly emphasized the Egyptian government’s commitment to encouraging collaboration between the private sectors of both countries to boost investment and mutual manufacturing. He specifically identified fields such as information technology, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy as areas of potential cooperation. Madbouly welcomed the idea of establishing a zone for Bulgarian companies in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), positioning Egypt as a hub for Bulgarian companies to access the Middle East and Africa, while Bulgaria could serve as a base for Egyptian exports to the European Union and a logistical and storage center in southeastern Europe and the Balkans.
He pointed out the strategic advantage of Egypt and Bulgaria’s geographical positions and highlighted the potential benefits to both countries. Madbouly also expressed Egypt’s progress in supporting investments in the field of green hydrogen and its efforts in establishing electric links with European countries, expressing a keen interest in cooperation with Bulgaria in these areas.
Additionally, Madbouly discussed Egypt’s initiatives to prevent illegal migration, highlighting the country’s collaboration with the EU and its provision of training programs for Egyptian workers as part of a legal labor export program.
In response, Gabriel referred to Egypt as a strategic partner and a key trade partner for Bulgaria. She emphasized the cooperation between the two countries in ensuring food security, particularly in supplying Egypt with wheat. Gabriel also expressed Bulgaria’s willingness to collaborate with Egypt on green hydrogen initiatives and in preventing illegal migration. She commended Egypt’s efforts to address the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and emphasized Egypt’s role in promoting stability in the Middle East and Africa.
Overall, the meeting underscored the shared commitment of Egypt and Bulgaria to enhancing economic cooperation and bilateral relations, with a focus on trade, food security, renewable energy, and efforts to address migration challenges. Both countries recognized the potential for mutual benefit and outlined areas for future collaboration.
Read Original article on Egypt Independent
