Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, recently held discussions with Amb. Khaled Nazmy, the newly appointed Egyptian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. The meeting served to reinforce the continuously evolving bilateral relationship between the two nations.
Al-Mashat commenced by acknowledging the deep-rooted historical ties between Egypt and China, emphasizing the significant advancements in their relationship, particularly following the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) agreement signed in 2014. She affirmed China’s position as one of Egypt’s most significant development partners, highlighting the multifaceted cooperation spanning critical sectors including infrastructure, scientific research, human capital investment, health, and education.
She pointed specifically to the landmark signing of the first-of-its-kind Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Debt Swap for Development program with the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA). This significant agreement, positioning Egypt as the inaugural nation to enter such an arrangement with CIDCA, was finalized in October 2023 during the Third Belt and Road Forum Summit.
Discussions also covered prominent joint development ventures, with particular focus given to the prosthetics system development project. Minister Al-Mashat noted this initiative enjoys presidential backing and strategically aims to position Egypt as a regional hub across the Middle East and Africa for the provision and manufacturing of prosthetic and assistive devices, adhering to internationally recognized standards. She expressed keen anticipation for sustained collaboration with Chinese partners on this vital project.
The foundation for this robust partnership rests on shared history, as both Egypt and China represent pivotal ancient civilizations, fostering decades of distinguished relations. While development cooperation began in the 1990s, collaboration significantly accelerated post-2014, following the state visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to China and the formalization of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Further cementing these ties, during her visit to China in July 2024 for the Second International Forum on Shared Development Action, Minister Al-Mashat signed three crucial MoUs with Chinese counterparts:
- An MoU to bolster experience sharing and mutually beneficial economic cooperation, focusing on macroeconomics, industrial development, renewable energy, technological innovation, and sustainable development practices.
- An MoU to enhance cooperation regarding the application of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), recognizing its importance for driving economic and social development.
- An MoU supporting the enhancement and scaling of assistive technology manufacturing and service provision, notably through the establishment of a dedicated Center of Excellence for individuals with mobility impairments in Egypt, directly complementing the national prosthetics project.
The meeting between Minister Al-Mashat and Ambassador Nazmy underscores the mutual commitment to further strengthening the strategic and economic bonds between Egypt and China across multiple priority development areas.
