Egypt courts Bahraini investment as Cairo hosts business forum

Egypt is seeking to draw greater Bahraini investment into sectors including renewable energy, digital industries and manufacturing, Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Hassan El-Khatib said at the Egypt-Bahrain Business Forum in Cairo on Tuesday.

Minister El-Khatib highlighted that Bahraini investments in Egypt reached about $450 million in 2024 across more than 237 companies, with bilateral trade totalling $35.27 million. He said Cairo is accelerating reforms to attract capital, aiming to position Egypt among the world’s top 50 countries for investment competitiveness within two years.

Bahrain’s advanced expertise in financial services, energy, and specialised industries makes it an “ideal partner” for deepening economic integration with Egypt, Minister El-Khatib noted.

The minister also said joint projects could unlock “unprecedented opportunities” for sustainable growth, citing Egypt’s flagship developments — including the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the New Administrative Capital and large-scale infrastructure works — as prime areas for Bahraini investment.

He added that closer cooperation could drive trade, expand renewable energy initiatives and accelerate Egypt’s push into the digital economy. Bahrain’s participation, he said, would also bolster both nations’ ambitions to serve as regional development hubs.

Calling the forum a “new chapter” in the bilateral partnership, Minister El-Khatib urged it be held regularly and backed by direct ministerial engagement to turn discussions into concrete economic agreements.

Bahrain’s Minister of Sustainable Development Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif and Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro led the delegation to the forum, which was also attended by Egyptian Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser