The official activities of the Egyptian-Congolese Week commenced this morning in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, under the patronage of the Congolese Minister of Trade and Industry. The event witnessed the esteemed presence of H.E. Ambassador Hisham El Maqoud, Egypt’s Ambassador to Congo, alongside the participation of 15 Egyptian companies representing seven diverse sectors. Over 150 Congolese companies, business entities, and relevant institutions also attended the event.
In his opening address, Dr. Yousrey El Sharkawi, EABA Chairman, emphasized the significance of the historical relations between Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He highlighted that the efforts of the Egyptian private sector align with the political leadership’s vision and the strong political will shared by both countries. Dr. El Sharkawi provided a detailed overview of the Egyptian companies participating in the mission, showcasing their diverse expertise and their commitment to entering African markets. He stressed the importance of connecting the African private sector to achieve tangible outcomes on the ground.
Dr. El Sharkawi pointed to the current trade exchange volume between Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which stands at approximately $160 million annually. He identified significant opportunities to increase this figure by focusing on promising sectors such as agriculture, food industries, and construction materials. He also emphasized enhancing cooperation between the private sectors of both countries and implementing joint projects that promote economic integration and sustainable development.
He praised the efforts of official diplomacy, particularly through Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and commercial representation, as well as the substantial governmental support extended to the association. Dr. El Sharkawi expressed his gratitude to H.E. Minister Sameh Shoukry, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, for his dedicated focus on the African file, noting that this visit builds on the momentum of the minister’s recent trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dr. El Sharkawi underscored the strategic importance of the Congolese market, highlighting its vast size, population, and diversity of traders from various nationalities. He described it as an ideal opportunity for Egyptian presence and the promotion of African products. He noted that the mission members had conducted comprehensive studies on the market’s nature and that the Egyptian-Congolese Week will feature a series of bilateral meetings between the private and public sectors to ensure concrete outcomes.
Concluding the opening ceremony, participants expressed optimism about the expected outcomes of the event, which marks a crucial step in strengthening economic and trade cooperation between Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The week’s activities will continue, including bilateral meetings between public and private sector representatives from both sides, aimed at fostering partnerships and building effective bridges of communication to achieve mutual development goals.