Egypt signs 17 export deals worth $168M with China

Egyptian and Chinese companies signed 17 export contracts with an estimated combined value of $168 million during the “Export to China” event, supporting Egypt’s efforts to diversify its exports and expand the presence of locally made products in international markets.

Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid Saleh said the government is working to open new markets, increase the number of Egyptian exporters and capitalise on opportunities in priority destinations, particularly China.

He said the ministry’s strategy focuses on turning promotional efforts into tangible commercial agreements by building direct, long-term relationships between Egyptian exporters and international buyers.

The government is also seeking to attract additional Chinese investment into Egypt’s production and export-oriented sectors, with the aim of transferring technology and expertise, increasing local added value and improving industrial competitiveness.

The event was jointly sponsored by Egypt’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade and China’s Ministry of Commerce, in cooperation with the Chinese Embassy in Cairo and the Egyptian Exporters Association. It brought together 16 Chinese importing companies and around 40 representatives of Egypt’s export sector.

The meetings covered agriculture, food products, minerals, engineering industries, leather and textiles. The resulting agreements include exports of flax, textile yarn, leather, copper, aluminium, sugarcane and oranges to the Chinese market.

Sayed Fouad, head of the Asia Department at the Egyptian Commercial Service, said the contracts reflected close coordination between Egyptian and Chinese stakeholders and demonstrated how direct business meetings can convert trade opportunities into concrete deals.

He added that Egypt’s comprehensive strategic partnership with China, established in 2014, has continued to expand through the Belt and Road Initiative, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and BRICS.

Fouad also pointed to China’s two-year customs-duty exemption for exports from African countries, effective May 1, 2026, as an opportunity to diversify Egyptian exports and strengthen their competitiveness in the Chinese market.

Abdel Aziz El-Sherif, head of the Egyptian Commercial Service, said the agreements demonstrate the value of directly connecting Egyptian exporters with buyers in targeted markets and following up on opportunities until contracts are secured.

The Egyptian Commercial Service offices in Beijing and Shanghai will monitor the implementation of the agreements and continue coordinating with Chinese partners to generate further opportunities for Egyptian businesses.