UAE and Egypt to strengthen cooperation in civil aviation

Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation Dr Sameh Elhefny held talks with a UAE delegation led by Mohammed Abdullah Al-Salami, Chairman of the Fujairah Department of Civil Aviation and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Civil Aviation Authority, and Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi, Director-General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, to strengthen cooperation in civil aviation.

At the meeting, which was held in Cairo, the parties discussed air navigation, airport infrastructure development, and key aviation projects in Dubai and Fujairah, reflecting the strong partnership between Egypt and the UAE.

According to a statement from Egypt’s Civil Aviation Ministry on Monday, the meeting aimed to deepen strategic ties and advance mutual interests in the sector.

The talks also highlighted opportunities for collaboration in training and expertise-sharing, particularly through Dubai’s air navigation training centre, and proposed specialised programmes using advanced global technologies.

Al-Salami praised Egypt’s progress in modernising its civil aviation sector and expressed the UAE’s commitment to fostering stronger partnerships in light of Egypt’s recent development efforts. He emphasised the importance of ongoing cooperation as a testament to the enduring ties between the two nations. Dr. Elhefny reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure, promoting innovation, and integrating sustainability into aviation, in line with the ministry’s broader development strategy.

Meanwhile in September 2024 Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, held bilateral meetings with Lieutenant General Kamel El Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and the Minister of Industry and Transport of Egypt, and Dr. Rania Al Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation.

The discussion aimed to strengthen the economic partnership between the UAE and Egypt in various sectors, including the new economy, transportation, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, circular economy, agriculture, and industry.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of Bin Touq’s participation in the 114th session of the Arab Economic and Social Council. The council meeting, held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in Cairo, was chaired by the UAE.

The Minister of Economy highlighted the robust strategic relations and deep fraternal bonds between the UAE and Egypt, characterised by flourishing cooperation and partnerships in diverse sectors. Bin Touq said, “Both countries possess significant economic resources and potential and boast strategic geographic locations that facilitate access to numerous key markets. The economic relations between the UAE and Egypt are also continuously evolving across different sectors.

“The UAE is committed to fostering joint efforts with our partners in the Egyptian government to enhance economic cooperation and establish new projects that align with the future visions and aspirations of both nations.”

He emphasised that the recently signed partnership agreement between the two countries for the Ras Al Hikma development project is a key milestone in the growth of economic ties and fostering mutual investment flows, particularly considering that it is the largest FDI in Egypt’s history.

Bin Touq’s meeting with Al Wazir explored the strengthening of collaboration in various projects concerning infrastructure, logistics centres, and industrial sectors in both nations.

The two ministers exchanged insights and knowledge on effective policies and strategies to facilitate the transition towards circular and green economies to leverage the two countries’ collective capabilities and resources to achieve these transitions. The meeting also discussed fostering bilateral cooperation in cutting-edge technology and innovation applied in the development of airport infrastructure, apart from initiatives and strategies for fostering the growth of industrial clusters, which serve as catalysts for economic growth and sustainable development.

Bin Touq’s meeting with Dr. Rania Al Mashat examined ways to strengthen economic relations in areas of shared interest. It explored potential financing options to facilitate the development of new joint projects, taking the development visions of both countries into consideration.

The two sides deliberated on sharing expertise in international collaboration and development funding to foster joint initiatives that create new growth opportunities and strengthen communication channels between the UAE and Egypt’s business communities. The UAE is the top Arab investor in Egypt and the third largest globally.