Egypt, Indonesia expand economic partnership beyond US$1B with Aswan as gateway to African markets
The proposal would leverage Egypt’s logistics infrastructure and investment facilities to support regional trade.
EGYPT – Egypt and Indonesia have expanded their economic partnership beyond their current US$1 billion in annual trade, as the two nations explore new opportunities in logistics, mining, agriculture and investment through Egypt’s southern gateway of Aswan, while seeking to dismantle trade barriers and promote investment in logistics hubs like the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
The latest discussions took place on July 29, when Indonesian Ambassador to Cairo Kuntjoro Giri Waseso met members of the Aswan Chamber of Commerce, chaired by Hossam Al-Ansari.
The meeting followed a July 24 meeting between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila.
According to Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS), Waseso said Indonesia wants to increase its trade volume with Egypt and highlighted Indonesia’s investment presence in the Egyptian market through various projects.
Aswan as Strategic Gateway
The Aswan meeting focused on cooperation in industry, mining, food products, logistics and investment.
The discussions also explored Aswan’s potential role in facilitating Indonesian trade with Sudan and wider African markets. Hossam Al-Ansari said Egypt’s plans to expand trade with Africa and Sudan through its southern gateway were presented during the meeting.
In addition, he proposed positioning Aswan as a hub for Indonesian exports to Sudan and other African markets.
An invitation was also extended to the Indonesian side to invest in the logistics zone under development in Karkar, south of Aswan. The proposal would leverage Egypt’s logistics infrastructure and investment facilities to support regional trade.
Wider Bilateral Trade Agenda
During their July 24 meeting in Manila, Abdelatty said Egypt attaches high priority to strengthening its relationship with Indonesia and stressed the importance of increasing trade and mutual investment in line with the countries’ strategic partnership.
Abdelatty highlighted investment opportunities in Egypt, particularly in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, which he described as a regional hub for industry and logistics and a gateway to African and Arab markets.
He also called for greater agricultural cooperation and the removal of non-tariff barriers affecting Egyptian agricultural exports, including vegetables and fruits, to the Indonesian market.
Finally, this collaboration seeks to solidify a strategic alliance that leverages Egypt’s geographic position to enhance regional commerce, with both countries remaining prepared to pursue further cooperation to sustain long-term growth in bilateral trade and investment.
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