UK-Egypt ties entering new phase ahead of Starmer visit – Ambassador Bryson-Richardson

Relations between the United Kingdom and Egypt are entering a more strategic phase ahead of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s planned visit to Cairo next month, Britain’s ambassador to Egypt said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the British Egyptian Business Association’s (BEBA) 2026 Investment Business Mission in London, Ambassador Mark Bryson-Richardson said the two countries were building on strong economic ties and expanding cooperation across trade, investment, and economic reform.

The ambassador praised Egypt’s efforts to advance economic reforms, particularly measures aimed at modernising tax administration, improving transparency, and aligning regulatory frameworks with international standards.

He said Starmer’s expected visit to Egypt in July would mark an important milestone in bilateral relations and help launch a broader framework for cooperation between the two countries.

Trade between Egypt and the United Kingdom already exceeds £5 billion annually, Bryson-Richardson said, adding that significant opportunities remain to expand commercial ties and investment flows.

The United Kingdom remains one of Egypt’s largest foreign investors, while both countries are exploring opportunities to deepen cooperation in regional markets across Africa and the Middle East, he said.

Bryson-Richardson said sectors such as infrastructure, innovation, and sustainable development offer strong potential for future collaboration, expressing confidence that the business mission would help generate new investment opportunities and strengthen commercial partnerships.

The BEBA mission brought together senior government officials, investors, and business leaders from both countries to discuss Egypt’s economic reform programme and opportunities for expanding bilateral trade and investment.