Egypt, US trade volume rises 14% in H1 2025, official says

The meeting was attended by the new Commercial Counselor of the US Paul Oliva, along with Jennifer Patterson. State Information Service.
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Updated 02 December 2025
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Egypt, US trade volume rises 14% in H1 2025, official says

RIYADH: The volume of trade between Egypt and the US reached $5.6 billion in the first half of 2025, reflecting a 14 percent year-on-year rise, a top official revealed.

In a meeting aimed to follow up on economic, trade, and investment cooperation topics between both countries, Head of the Egyptian Commercial Service, Minister Plenipotentiary for Commercial Affairs Abdel Aziz El-Sherif explained that significant opportunities exist to expand Egyptian exports to the US market, given the strong trade capabilities of companies in various sectors, according to a statement.

The meeting was attended by the new Commercial Counselor of the US, Paul Oliva, along with Jennifer Patterson, responsible for the trade and investment portfolio at the Economic Office of the US Embassy in Cairo.

The minister’s comments align with the fact that trade between Egypt and the US reached $8.6 billion in 2024, including $2.5 billion in Egyptian exports.

It also aligns with the North African country’s trade deficit, narrowing 16 percent to $26.3 billion in the first 10 months of 2025, supported by strong non-oil export growth and an improving external position.

The newly released statement said: “El-Sherif emphasized that the meeting comes at a time when Egyptian-American relations are witnessing growing momentum and noticeable development across various economic and investment fields. He noted the mutual aspiration to capitalize on this momentum to increase trade volumes and boost US investments in the Egyptian market.”

It added: “El-Sherif also noted that US investments in Egypt reached $9.44 billion, with an American equity contribution of $2.47 billion as of the end of February 2025. These investments are spread across 2,016 companies operating in sectors such as finance, industry, services, and construction as well as Information and Communications Technology, tourism, and agriculture.” 

During the meeting, the minister went on to highlight that the ECS is developing a detailed plan aimed at boosting and doubling trade and investment between the two nations in the near future. The strategy emphasizes leveraging trade agreements and highlighting key investment prospects in advanced technologies, renewable energy, supply chains, and export-driven sectors.

He emphasized that the plan also seeks to deepen ties between the business sectors of both nations and encourage more US firms to invest in Egypt, capitalizing on its strategic position and unique advantages as a hub for regional markets.

From his side, Oliva underlined that Egypt holds a key position as the US’s fifth-largest trading partner in the region. He noted the increasing interest of US companies in boosting trade and investment in Egypt, driven by the country’s ongoing economic reforms and emerging opportunities.


Saudi Arabia advances sustainable development efforts with 45 agreements worth $1.6bn at Momentum

Updated 12 December 2025
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Saudi Arabia advances sustainable development efforts with 45 agreements worth $1.6bn at Momentum

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Development Fund and its affiliates signed 45 agreements with a total value of SR6 billion ($1.59 billion), with several local and international partners at the conclusion of the Momentum 2025 development finance conference.

The event, held from Dec. 9 to 11 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, was organized by the NDF under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, crown prince, prime minister, and chairman of the NDF board of directors.

The new agreements seek to accelerate the pace of investment, empower the private sector, and unlock new opportunities in priority sectors including small and medium sized enterprises, tourism, and sustainable development.

On the institutional level, the fund signed two strategic agreements with two leading global partners in technology and professional services, aiming to enable artificial intelligence, data, and digital solutions within the development finance ecosystem. 

The two memorandum of understandings aim to enhance the institutional capabilities of the fund, encourage innovation in products and services, and improve the efficiency and overall impact of development financing in the Kingdom.

The NDF signed a memorandum of understanding through the National Infrastructure Fund aimed at unifying the efforts of the development system to support small enterprises by cooperating on designing a developmental financing model for SMEs.

The Saudi SME Bank signed 19 cooperation agreements and MoUs with a value exceeding SR3 billion, to support the developmental finance system and enhance integration between public and private sector entities.

The Tourism Development Fund concluded 6 agreements with entities from both the government and private sectors, strengthening its partnerships with an impact exceeding SR4 billion. These aim to enhance financing solutions through the “Tourism Enablement Programs” offered by the fund to micro, small, and medium enterprises.

The Cultural Development Fund signed five credit facility agreements within the framework of the “Cultural Financing” program, with a total value exceeding SR63 million, to finance numerous cultural projects.

As part of its efforts to support human capital development, the Human Resources Development Fund concluded 3 agreements aimed at supporting and enabling 2,191 male and female job seekers in multiple sectors, with a value exceeding SR324 million.

The Saudi Industrial Development Fund signed a cooperation agreement with the Saudi Railways Co. to identify cooperation opportunities in enabling the industrial sector, including the railway sector, and supporting investors in localizing goods and services to increase local content.

The Saudi Fund for Development signed five developmental memoranda of understanding with Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, and the Middle East Green Initiative, as well as the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Co., and the Arab Urban Development Institute.

The Investment Events Fund signed a partnership agreement with entertainment firm Legends Global to enhance the events sector by leveraging international expertise in organizing major global events.

The agreements and MoUs signed during the Momentum 2025 conference represent a significant step in the Kingdom’s efforts to build a diverse, inclusive, and sustainable economy.

These partnerships contribute to bridging financing gaps, mitigating risks for strategic projects, and achieving long-term value for Saudi citizens, companies, and communities. Furthermore, they advance global sustainable development goals by aligning public and private capital with national priorities in infrastructure, SMEs, and green growth. 

The Momentum 2025 development finance conference embodied the Kingdom’s focus on translating cooperation into tangible achievements, driving green and inclusive growth, and contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.