Under the patronage, presence, and support of Major General Ismail Kamal, Governor of Aswan, the “Aswan: The Gateway to Africa” conference and forum kicked off this morning. The event is organized by the Egyptian African Businessmen’s Association (EABA), headed by Dr. Yousrey El-Sharkawi, in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Investors Association in Aswan.
The forum witnessed the participation of the largest Tanzanian trade delegation to Egypt, led by the Tanzanian Ambassador to Cairo and the Secretary-General of the Tanzanian Ministry of Agriculture, along with more than 40 government officials and private sector representatives from Tanzania, in addition to over 40 key figures from Aswan’s business and financial community, associations, and the Agricultural Bank of Egypt – Aswan Branch.
Showcasing Aswan’s Unique Agricultural and Handicraft Products
The event included a mini-exhibition featuring authentic Aswan agricultural products, notably Aswan dates, along with handmade crafts from the region. The conference sessions, hosted at the Pyramisa Isis Island Hotel, were set against the backdrop of the eternal Nile, symbolizing continuous cooperation and coordination with Tanzania and other Nile Basin countries.
Following the welcoming speeches by the Governor of Aswan, EABA President, the Tanzanian Ambassador, and Mr. Sotouhi Mostafa, President of the Small and Medium Enterprises Investors Association in Aswan, the discussions commenced.
Strengthening Egyptian-Tanzanian Business and Investment Ties
In his speech, Dr. El-Sharkawi expressed his gratitude to the Governor of Aswan, the SME Investors Association, and the Tanzanian delegation, emphasizing that the EABA aims to connect the entire Egyptian private sector—from Aswan to Alexandria—with the African private sector. He stressed the importance of showcasing Egypt’s nationwide development projects to African guests and noted that after pioneering a major event in El-Mahalla El-Kubra in November 2023, Aswan is now being launched as “The Gateway to Africa.”
Conference Resolutions: Strengthening Partnerships and Expanding Trade
Dr. El-Sharkawi outlined key conference resolutions, including:
Finalizing a twinning agreement between Aswan, Egypt, and Zanzibar, Tanzania, focusing on joint tourism and investment promotion through collaborative tourism companies.
Enhancing communication with leading Tanzanian importers to export Aswan dates, particularly in preparation for the high demand during Ramadan among Tanzania’s Muslim community.
Expanding EABA’s “Nafaz” program, currently implemented with Senghor University, to include Aswan University and Tanzanian universities.
Collaborating with the Aswan Governorate and civil society to develop Egyptian-Sudanese trade via Aswan, positioning the city as a strategic African trade hub.
Egypt and Tanzania: A Shared Vision for Development
Dr. El-Sharkawi reiterated that Egypt’s leadership is committed to fostering joint private sector initiatives with African nations, particularly the Nile Basin countries. He highlighted the strong historical ties between Egypt and Tanzania, emphasizing that both nations share a common water infrastructure, including the Tanzania Dam and the Julius Nyerere Dam, both built by Egyptian expertise.
This landmark event underscores Aswan’s role as a strategic gateway for economic, trade, and investment partnerships between Egypt and Africa.