Egypt, China target EVs, renewables, high-tech manufacturing

Egypt and China will explore cooperation in electric vehicles, renewable energy, and advanced technology as the two countries seek to expand manufacturing and attract more Chinese investment, according to a joint statement issued on Wednesday.

Potential areas include electric vehicle manufacturing, shipbuilding, solar panels, wind towers, and seawater desalination, the statement said after talks between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The two countries will also explore cooperation in cloud computing, data centres, semiconductors, cybersecurity, space applications, and remote sensing, while examining opportunities in critical mineral supply chains, agriculture, and automotive manufacturing.

The initiatives will be pursued alongside efforts to increase technology transfer and develop skills, the statement said.

Egypt and China will seek to align Egypt’s Vision 2030 with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, with a focus on manufacturing, logistics, clean energy and digital industries.

The two presidents also welcomed continued cooperation on infrastructure, transport, energy, manufacturing, space, and technology projects, as well as further development of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE).

Egypt has sought to attract Chinese investment to its industrial zones and expand its role as a production and export base serving African, Middle Eastern, and European markets.

The two sides said Chinese companies should expand partnerships with Egyptian firms and make use of Egypt’s location and infrastructure, according to the statement.