Vietnam interested in exploring free trade deal with Egypt, PM says

JOHANNESBURG - 23 November 2025: Vietnam is interested in exploring a free trade agreement with Egypt to capitalise on the two countries’ promising capabilities, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Sunday.

Madbouly met Chinh on the sidelines of the 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg, where the prime minister is representing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Chinh said a trade pact would build on several existing commercial agreements, highlighting his country’s geographical position, which allows Egyptian products to enter Asian markets through Vietnam.

Madbouly said Cairo is keen to develop a plan to deepen cooperation with Vietnam across various sectors, highlighting Egypt’s access to multiple free-trade frameworks that could facilitate Vietnamese exports.

He welcomed existing Vietnamese investments, including plastic manufacturer EUROPLAS, which operates a factory in Sadat City, and textile group Song Hong.

Egypt also expressed appreciation for Vietnamese companies eyeing new projects, such as Vin Group’s interest in the electric-vehicle industry.

Chinh called for easier visa procedures and simplified company-registration rules for Vietnamese investors, and proposed establishing a joint high-level committee to follow up on cooperation initiatives and expand private-sector partnerships.

Madbouly said Egypt supports the proposals and is ready to receive a Vietnamese business delegation to continue discussions, adding that cooperation can also expand to communications and information technology.