New Delhi, 15 November (H.S.): Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal arrived in Cairo on November 14 to strengthen the India–Egypt Strategic Partnership and expand bilateral trade and investment ties. He is accompanied by a delegation of more than 130 industry representatives and startup leaders.

According to the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, during his visit, Goyal paid tribute to Indian soldiers at the Heliopolis War Cemetery in Cairo. Of the approximately 4,000 soldiers buried or commemorated at the cemetery, 3,727 were Indians. Nearly 2,000 of them lost their lives during the First World War, while around 1,700 died during the Second World War.

Goyal also attended an event organised by the Indian Community Association in Egypt, where he interacted with members of the Indian diaspora. He said that bilateral trade between India and Egypt, valued at approximately US$6.5 billion, was only the beginning of the partnership between the two ancient civilisations.

He noted that nearly 70 Indian companies were operating in Egypt, with investments exceeding US$5 billion. These companies are generating direct and indirect employment opportunities for the people of Egypt. Describing the Indian diaspora as a living bridge between the two countries, he highlighted its contribution to strengthening bilateral relations.

The visit will feature the seventh session of the India–Egypt Joint Trade Committee (JTC), a meeting of the India–Egypt Joint Business Council (JBC) and the India–Egypt Business Forum. The Joint Trade Committee meeting is scheduled to take place in Cairo on November 15 and will be co-chaired by Goyal and Egypt's Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh.

The programme will also include bilateral meetings with senior Egyptian ministers, interactions with leading industry representatives and engagements with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Egyptian Junior Businessmen Association and the Egypt–India Startups Forum. These discussions will focus on reviewing trade and investment-related issues and identifying new opportunities for business partnerships.

India and Egypt share longstanding ties rooted in history, civilisation and people-to-people exchanges. Their relationship has evolved into a Strategic Partnership, with cooperation spanning several areas. Goyal's visit is aimed at further strengthening this relationship by expanding collaboration in trade, investment and industrial development.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar