Egypt, Bulgaria sign joint protocol to boost cooperation across 19 strategic sectors

Egypt and Bulgaria signed a protocol on Wednesday under their joint committee on economic, scientific, and technical cooperation, agreeing to strengthen ties across 19 strategic sectors that will shape future trade, investment, and economic relations between the two countries.

The agreement was signed during the closing session of the Egyptian-Bulgarian Joint Committee in Cairo, co-chaired by Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat and Bulgaria’s Minister of Economy and Industry Peter Dilov.

The protocol aims to expand bilateral trade, which reached around $1 billion in 2024, and promote private-sector participation through forums, exhibitions, and B2B meetings. It also encourages Bulgarian businesses to explore opportunities in the Suez Canal Economic Zone  (SCZONE), a gateway for exports and investments into Africa, and to develop joint projects in renewable energy, engineering, electronics, and chemical industries.

Al-Mashat said the committee’s meeting coincides with the approaching 100th anniversary of diplomatic bilateral relations, opening new avenues for collaboration in areas such as industry, investment, agriculture, renewable energy, defense production, and high value-added sectors including technology, pharmaceuticals, and automotive.

The agreement further reinforces cooperation in petroleum, mineral resources, electricity and renewable energy, as well as in transport, communications, IT, cybersecurity, environmental protection, climate action, and tourism. Both sides pledged to continue strengthening economic dialogue and elevate cooperation to reflect the strategic nature of Egypt’s partnership with the European Union.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English