'Golden decade' forecast for China-Egypt relations

Egypt and China are being tipped to embark on what a former Egyptian ambassador to China calls a "golden decade" of partnership.

Ali El Hefny, who also served as deputy foreign minister of Egypt, talked of expanding horizons for collaboration between the two countries.

"There is a determination in both Cairo and Beijing to maintain relations and coordinate on all regional and international situations," El Hefny, vice-president of the Egypt-China Friendship Association, said.

"The growth of economic relations in the past decade indicates that the next decade, from 2025 to 2035, will be the golden decade for relations between the two countries."

On the extent of coordination between the two countries, El Hefny said China is a major global power and Egypt is a regional power in the Arab world and Africa, and they have common interests.

The relationship between China and Egypt has included increasing economic collaboration, resulting in more investment and trade, he said. China has been Egypt's top trading partner in recent years, and Chinese investment in Egypt has exceeded $7 billion.

"Increased Chinese investment benefits both sides, not just Egypt but also the Chinese economy," he said.

"Relations are gaining more momentum and depth through the number of diverse Egyptian-Chinese joint projects implemented in Egypt, extending to various regions."

El Hefny cited as an example Egypt's new administrative capital, Alamein City, and the Teda economic zone near the Suez Canal.

As a global leader in renewable energy, Chinese investment in green energy has accelerated in Egypt and other North African countries, contributing to their green transformation.

In December Egypt's Suez Wind Energy signed an agreement with Power Construction Corporation of China to build a 1,100-megawatt wind farm in the Gulf of Suez. When the farm is completed it will become one of the biggest of its kind in Africa.

The Chinese motor vehicle maker BAIC announced last year that it will establish an electric car factory in Egypt. It is forecast that the factory, expected to start production at the end of this year, will turn out 50,000 vehicles a year in five years.

Increasing Chinese investment has also significantly helped boost Egypt's industrial and technology capacity for sustainable development, El Hefny said.

Technology sharing

"The most important feature that distinguishes Egypt's cooperation with China from cooperation with other developed countries is that China transfers and shares technology with us. We obtain this technology in a way that enables us to strengthen our national industries.

"This ... enhances mutual trust and contributes to achieving sustainable development. We look forward to more cooperation in the field of localizing industry in Egypt, where we see that China can play a significant role in this area."

On the importance of the Egyptian market for Chinese companies, El Hefny said: "Egypt represents a promising market for Chinese investment. Thanks to the trade agreements that link Egypt with Arab, African, European and South American countries, it can be a hub for exporting Chinese products assembled or manufactured in Egypt under the slogan 'Made in Egypt'."

These markets have a population exceeding 2 billion, ensuring the flow of goods and services without restrictions or customs duties, he said.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.