New Delhi, November 14 (HS): Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will undertake an official visit to Egypt on November 15 and 16 to co-chair the seventh meeting of the India-Egypt Joint Trade Committee. The visit is aimed at expanding bilateral trade and investment, while strengthening industrial cooperation between the two countries. A high-level Indian business delegation comprising more than 130 industry leaders and startup representatives will accompany the minister.

According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Goyal will co-chair the Joint Trade Committee meeting, scheduled to be held in Cairo on November 15, with Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh. The committee has been elevated to the ministerial level. The meeting will review progress in bilateral trade and investment relations and explore ways to broaden and diversify the scope of economic engagement between the two countries.

The discussions will cover a wide range of areas, including market access, non-tariff barriers, trade remedies, agriculture and food products, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, engineering goods, chemicals and petrochemicals, fertilisers, textiles, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), customs cooperation, services, renewable energy, green hydrogen, transport and logistics.

Bilateral merchandise trade between India and Egypt stood at USD 5.04 billion during April-September 2026, registering a 64 per cent increase over the corresponding period of the previous year. During the financial year 2025-26, India exported goods worth USD 3.87 billion to Egypt and imported commodities valued at USD 2.60 billion.

India’s major exports to Egypt include meat and poultry products, petroleum products, organic chemicals, cotton and machinery. Key imports from Egypt comprise crude petroleum, fertilisers, cotton and mineral products.

Business Forum to Explore Investment and Industrial Partnerships

During the visit, the India-Egypt Joint Business Council meeting and the India-Egypt Business Forum will also be held. Business representatives from both countries will explore opportunities to expand trade and investment, establish joint ventures, develop technology partnerships and strengthen industrial cooperation.

The Indian delegation will include more than 130 chief executives and senior industry representatives from various sectors.

Goyal is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with senior Egyptian ministers. In addition, he will interact with representatives of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Egyptian Junior Business Association and the Egypt-India Startup Forum. The startup forum will focus on identifying new opportunities for business collaboration, investment and joint ventures.

Focus on Suez Canal Economic Zone and Regional Supply Chains

The two sides will also explore opportunities for cooperation in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, industrial development, manufacturing, infrastructure, ports, logistics and regional supply chains.

Egypt’s strategic geographical location offers Indian companies an important gateway to markets across Africa, West Asia and Europe. The visit is expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral economic engagement and create opportunities for Indian businesses to expand their regional presence through partnerships and investments in Egypt.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar