ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan has called for transforming the country’s relations with Egypt into a stronger economic partnership and urged the two countries to move beyond conventional trade and view each other as long-term strategic investment partners, Pakistan’s Press Information Department said on Friday.
Pakistan and Egypt have strong relations dating back to the early years of Pakistan’s independence. Egypt was among the first Middle Eastern countries to recognize Pakistan, and the two countries have since been cooperating with each other in the fields of defense, economy and diplomacy.
Speaking as the chief guest at a reception in Islamabad marking Egypt’s National Day, Commerce Minister Khan stressed the two countries should further build their relations in trade, investment, joint production and regional value chains, according to a PID statement.
“Together, Pakistan and Egypt can develop joint value chains, create employment opportunities, strengthen industrial capacity and expand exports,” Khan was quoted as saying.
Egypt offered a manufacturing and distribution base for African, Arab and Mediterranean markets, while Pakistan provided a production and investment platform linked to South Asia, according to the minister.
He welcomed Egyptian investment in Pakistan’s power, real estate, financial services and telecommunications sectors, and said Islamabad looked forward to participating in the Food Africa 2026 exhibition in Egypt in December, inviting Egyptian participation in Pakistan’s own food, agriculture and textile exhibitions.
Khan also appreciated Egypt’s cooperation in facilitating Pakistan’s humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
Egypt’s ambassador to Pakistan, Ihab Mohamed Abdelhamid Hassan, said relations had gained momentum over the past two years through high-level exchanges, including visits by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to Pakistan and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to Egypt, and that Cairo looked forward to translating that momentum into practical achievements, according to PID.
Egypt’s National Day, which falls on July 23, commemorates the 1952 revolution in which the Free Officers Movement overthrew the monarchy of King Farouk, ending British-backed royal rule and leading to the declaration of the republic the following year.
