loading . . . Egypt, South Korea sign joint statement on comprehensive economic partnership agreement The signing took place during a bilateral meeting attended by senior Egyptian officials, including GAFI CEO Mohamed Gosski, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Amr Hamza, Head of the Commercial Representation Authority Abdel-Aziz El-Sharif, and Head of the Commercial Agreements Sector Amani El-Wassal, alongside members of the South Korean delegation.
On the sidelines of the signing, the two sides held talks on boosting trade and investment relations and expanding cooperation in priority sectors of mutual interest.
El-Khatib said the talks build on constructive discussions held late last year, noting the strong relations, shared understanding, and common ambition between Egypt and South Korea. He pointed to the joint statement issued following the EgyptianâKorean summit on 20 November 2025, which underscored the commitment of both countriesâ leaders to advance discussions on a proposed CEPA, describing Thursdayâs signing as a significant milestone and a tangible step forward.
The minister welcomed the successful completion of a joint feasibility study conducted under a memorandum of understanding signed in January 2022, saying the study confirms that the agreement represents a strategic opportunity to deepen economic cooperation between the two countries.
El-Khatib explained that the proposed agreement would establish a comprehensive institutional framework to expand cooperation in investment, technology transfer, industrial development, capacity building, and trade liberalization, including the reduction or elimination of customs tariffs. He added that Egyptâs cabinet has approved the launch of negotiations, which will proceed in line with World Trade Organization rules and principles.
He stressed that Egypt aims to ensure the negotiations deliver tangible gains in investment flows, productive cooperation, and trade expansion, highlighting the agreementâs role in encouraging greater South Korean investment in Egypt, particularly in light of major national development projects such as the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
El-Khatib also said Egypt is keen to develop an integrated framework for investment cooperation with South Korea in priority sectors, including high-tech industries, agriculture, renewable energy, transport, infrastructure, and manufacturing, with a strong focus on transferring Korean expertise and know-how to Egypt.
He welcomed discussions on expanding joint industrial projects based on Egyptâs availability of raw materials and manufacturing capabilities, citing sectors such as furniture, glass, artificial pearls and related inputs, crystal, marble, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, ready-made garments, electrical cables, and telecommunications products.
The minister further underlined Egyptâs interest in leveraging South Koreaâs advanced expertise in smart and modern technologies, including through trilateral or joint frameworks aimed at transferring these capabilities to African countries, drawing on Egyptâs role as a regional hub. He also highlighted opportunities for increasing South Korean investment in Egyptian industrial zones, particularly in the Northwest Gulf of Suez.
For his part, South Korean Minister Yeo Han-koo said he was pleased to visit Egypt, noting that bilateral relations have seen notable progress despite global challenges. He described Egypt as a key partner highly regarded by the Korean people, pointing to its large market and strategic location as attractive opportunities for Korean companies and a gateway to African and Middle Eastern markets.
Meanwhile, GAFI CEO Mohamed Gosski said the authority is closely reviewing the file of South Korean investments in Egypt in coordination with the ministry, adopting a proactive approach to address potential challenges, especially in priority sectors such as technology, automotive manufacturing, and energy, as cooperation between the two sides continues to expand. http://dlvr.it/TQW4Xz
