EXCLUSIVE: Who’s who of businessmen to accompany Sisi to China

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will head to Beijing from September 3-4 accompanied by a business delegation to take part in the Forum on Chinese-African Cooperation (FOCAC).

Several sources with direct knowledge of the tour said about two dozen businessmen and officials, who are members of the Egyptian Chinese Business Council (ECBC), would join Sisi when he goes to Beijing.

The list includes ECBC chairman Ahmed El Sewedy besides Sherif El-Gabaly, chairman of the Chamber of Chemical Industries; and Hisham Okasha, chairman of the National Bank of Egypt (NBE).

The businessmen group include Mohamed Kasem, chairman of World Trading Company; Maged El Menshawy, chief executive of Manapharma; Amr Elsawaf, managing director of Promotrade; Mohamed ElHassanein, chairman of Galaxia Group; and Aly Moustafa Moussa, chairman of Connect Management.

The group also involves Mohamed Adel, Chairman of the Egyptian Chinese Company for Investment; Mohamed Helal, vice chairman of Giza Fertilizers Manufacturing co. (Gizatec); Tarek Hilal, chairman of Triangle Group; and Mohamed Ibrahim Mahlab, chairman of Rowad Modern Engineering.

The once-every-three-years event has seen China offer large loan packages for countries on the continent.

During the visit, Sisi is due to meet with China’s President Xi Jinping and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

The two presidents are planned to sign a number of cooperation deals and memoranda of understanding in a variety of industries, according to the Egyptian presidency spokesman said.

Sisi will also sit with top Chinese business executives to discuss boosting their investments in Egypt.