Egyptian Ambassador Calls for Scaling Up of Trade, Investment Relations with Nigeria

Egyptian Ambassador Calls for Scaling Up of Trade, Investment Relations with Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Mohamed Fouad has said scaling up the trade and investment relations remains the priority of both governments of Egypt and Nigeria.

Speaking at the Commemoration of the 73rd Anniversary of the National Day of the Arab Republic of Egypt at the weekend in Abuja, the envoy said historical ties that link Egypt to Nigeria date back centuries ago with Cairo’s leading Al-Azhar AlShareef University established few centuries ago “The Borno Pavillion” dedicated to students arriving from Northern Nigeria.

He noted that generations of Nigerians sought knowledge at the esteemed University of Al Azhar, and as of today, hundreds of Nigerian students are enrolled in Egyptian universities, fostering a new generation of leaders who will contribute to the Nigerian society, and will undoubtedly strengthen the ties between our two nations.

He said: “We are proud of the growing people-to-people exchange between Egypt and Nigeria, that has significantly intensified over the last few years through tourism, business, and education, constituting a solid foundation for our bilateral relations.”

The envoy said: “Scaling up our trade and investment relations is a priority for our two governments. In that regard, we are proud of the numerous Egyptian companies that have been active in Nigeria for years, in areas such as construction, energy, and communications, contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth and creating employment opportunities.”

He noted that: “From security, countering-terrorism, to energy, communications, trade, and infrastructure, to agriculture, health care and education, our two countries are proceeding with determination on the path to forge a modern and forward-looking partnership anchored in our common values and shared objectives. “

The envoy added that: “Our respective compatriots in Egypt and in Nigeria play a crucial role in advancing the various facets of our partnership. They will continue to serve as the engine advancing our common objectives.”

He said: “Egypt, today, is a nation on the move. Under the “New Republic” Vision of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, we are embarking on an ambitious journey of comprehensive development and modernization across all sectors.

“We are building new cities, investing in sustainable energy, expanding our industrial base, and prioritizing education and healthcare, all with the aim of creating a prosperous and inclusive future for all Egyptians. Our economy is diversifying, our infrastructure is rapidly evolving, and our commitment to regional stability and global cooperation remains steadfast.”

He added that: Today at a time of profound uncertainty, Egypt and Nigeria are cognizant of the imperative of redefining and further developing their bilateral relations to meet emerging common challenges and priorities.

“Against this backdrop, the third round of our bilateral political consultations convened for the first time at the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Cairo last January. Our two Ministers of Foreign Affairs H.E Dr. Badr Abd-Elatty, and H.E Youssef Tuggar discussed numerous regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest. The two Ministers also signed a joint statement elevating our bilateral relations to the level of comprehensive partnership.”
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