Egypt, Slovakia sign deal to launch Joint Economic Committee

Egypt and Slovakia signed an agreement to establish a Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation, aiming to deepen bilateral relations and expand trade and investment between the two countries, Egypt’s planning ministry said on Sunday.

The agreement was signed by Planning Minister Rania Al-Mashat and Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Juraj Blanár during the Slovak minister’s visit to Cairo for the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM).

Both sides said the new committee will serve as a main platform for economic collaboration within the broader framework of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the European Union. They cited renewed momentum in bilateral ties following the first Egypt–EU Summit held in Brussels earlier this year.

Talks also covered preparations for the committee’s inaugural session, with the two countries looking to boost joint investment, increase Slovak tourism to Egypt—particularly following the museum’s opening—and support Egypt’s drive for industrial localisation and private sector growth.

Egypt currently hosts around 45 Slovak firms with combined investments exceeding $560 million, mainly in tourism, services, industry, construction, telecommunications, agriculture, and IT. About 1.4 million Slovak tourists visited Egypt in 2024, while bilateral trade reached roughly $340 million, according to official data.

Slovakia’s main exports to Egypt include vehicles, machinery, and other industrial products, while Egypt exports a mix of electronics, rubber products, and fireworks to the European country.

Egypt’s ministry of planning said it currently oversees 55 joint committees with partner nations worldwide to promote economic, trade, and investment cooperation.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser