In a high-level bilateral meeting in Cairo, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Dr. Rania Al-Mashat met with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn, and Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thị Thắng, to discuss preparations for the sixth session of the Egypt–Vietnam Joint Committee.
The meeting came on the sidelines of Vietnamese President Lương Cường’s state visit to Egypt, which included a summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi—a landmark moment in bilateral relations following the recent decision by both heads of state to elevate diplomatic ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Strategic Cooperation Fueled by Shared Vision
Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized the historic and evolving nature of Egypt–Vietnam relations, which date back to the establishment of full diplomatic ties in 1963. The year 2025 marks the 62nd anniversary of bilateral relations, underscoring a legacy of cooperation grounded in mutual respect and shared developmental goals.
Vietnam: Egypt’s Largest Trading Partner
Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted Egypt’s unique position as a trade and investment hub, thanks to its expansive network of preferential trade agreements with Africa and the Middle East. She noted that this positions Egypt as a gateway for Vietnamese exports to regional markets, while Egypt is keen to see its products gain wider access to Asia via Vietnam.
In turn, Vietnam remains Egypt’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia and a growing source of foreign investment interest.
Joint Committee and Sectoral Dialogue
The upcoming sixth session of the Egypt–Vietnam Joint Committee will aim to formalize working groups across key sectors, including economic development strategy, foreign direct investment, green growth and sustainable development, renewable energy, entrepreneurship and SME support
The meeting also proposed a Bilateral Business Forum and workshops for knowledge exchange, further reinforcing efforts to deepen institutional and private sector linkages.
Egypt’s Reform Agenda and Investment Climate
Dr. Al-Mashat detailed Egypt’s ongoing economic and structural reforms aimed at boosting competitiveness and improving the investment climate, particularly for Vietnamese private companies seeking to expand into Africa and the Middle East.
She also praised Vietnam’s transformational development model, noting Egypt’s interest in learning from its experience in industrialization, export growth, and sustainable development.
Vietnam Welcomes Strategic Elevation
Deputy Prime Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn commended Egypt’s development achievements across sectors, expressing full support for the strategic upgrade in relations. He stressed the importance of developing a clear implementation roadmap for the new agreements forged during President Cường’s visit.
“The shared vision of our leadership is a powerful catalyst,” he said. “We must now move swiftly to deliver tangible outcomes for our people.”
Historical Context and Future Outlook
Egypt and Vietnam have built a robust diplomatic foundation since the 1960s. In 1997, they signed a framework to establish a Joint Ministerial Committee, which has held five sessions to date. The sixth, expected later this year, will reflect a new level of ambition aligned with global economic shifts.
Vietnam is also a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and Egypt’s growing cooperation with East Asia is aligned with its Asia pivot strategy.
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