Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi emphasized on Monday the importance of enhancing joint efforts to advance the strategic partnership with Qatar toward broader horizons that serve the mutual interests of both nations.

This came during a meeting held by President El-Sisi with a number of Qatari businessmen and CEOs of major Qatari companies as part of his official visit to Doha, the Qatari capital.

In his remarks during the meeting, President El-Sisi affirmed the Egyptian leadership’s commitment to expanding cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani welcomed the Egyptian president, highlighting the deep-rooted fraternal ties between the two brotherly nations, which are built on historical and strategic foundations.

He noted that bilateral relations between Qatar and Egypt have witnessed significant progress in recent years, driven by the shared will of both leaderships to advance and diversify cooperation, ensuring a more sustainable and prosperous future for their peoples.

Economic and Trade Growth Highlighted

Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Ahmed Al-Sayed, stated that this meeting serves as a strategic platform to enhance economic cooperation between Qatar and Egypt, given the notable development in bilateral relations. He pointed out that trade volume between the two sides has grown at an annual rate of 50% over the past four years.

Dr. Al-Sayed stressed the pivotal role of the private sector as a key partner in driving investment and opening new avenues for joint cooperation. He reiterated Qatar’s ongoing efforts to expand economic and trade cooperation while enhancing investment opportunities with regional and global partners. This includes providing advanced infrastructure, streamlining trade procedures, and stimulating investments in line with Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy.

He also emphasized the need for intensified joint efforts to elevate Qatari-Egyptian trade relations, foster private-sector integration, and establish strategic partnerships that support sustainable economic development for mutual benefit.

Key Agreements and Future Prospects

The Qatari minister highlighted several bilateral agreements signed in recent years, which serve as fundamental pillars for boosting investor confidence. These include:

• The Economic, Technical, and Trade Cooperation Agreement

• The Agreement on Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investments

• The Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement

He further revealed that both sides are preparing to launch negotiations on a Qatari-Egyptian Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to broaden opportunities for goods and services exchange and expand market access for investors in both countries.

Private Sector Engagement

Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, underscored the importance of boosting trade between Qatar and Egypt to levels that reflect the vast potential of both economies. He highlighted the strong partnership between the Qatar Chamber and the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce in advancing private-sector collaboration.

He called on Qatari business leaders to capitalize on promising investment opportunities in Egypt, while urging Egyptian investors to explore Qatar’s advanced investment environment, including its modern infrastructure, investor-friendly legislation, and supportive economic policies.