KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- China-Egypt cooperation has expanded beyond major industrial projects to encompass broader trade, investment and strategic ties, with the Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone emerging as a key example of bilateral economic collaboration, according to an article published by China Global Television Network (CGTN).
A decade after the launch of its second phase, the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone has grown into an industrial cluster of nearly 200 companies, creating about 10,000 jobs and attracting cumulative investment of more than US$4.7 billion, according to CGTN in a statement. (US$1=RM4.03)
The zone hosts companies in building materials, petroleum equipment, electrical equipment and machinery, linking China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Egypt’s development strategy for the Suez Canal Corridor.
The development reflects a broader evolution in bilateral ties from individual infrastructure projects towards cooperation spanning investment, employment and markets. During talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for deeper cooperation and continued efforts to build a China-Egypt community with a shared future.
The Suez zone has also expanded into solar projects and circular economy initiatives, while Chinese-invested projects have supported Egypt’s power supply and provided training for local workers. At a joint venture between China XD Electric and Egyptian-owned EGEMAC, Egyptian employees account for 97 per cent of the workforce.
Trade is increasingly flowing in both directions, with China’s trade with Egypt reaching 95.19 billion Chinese yuan (US$14.16 billion) in the first seven months of 2026, up 18.7 per cent year on year. Chinese exports to Egypt rose 17.5 per cent, while imports from Egypt increased 49.4 per cent.
Agricultural products have been a key driver of Egyptian exports to China, with Chinese imports of Egyptian agricultural products rising 82.6 per cent in the first seven months of 2026. Egypt was China’s largest source of frozen strawberries and third-largest source of flax during the period, while fresh Egyptian oranges are also gaining traction among Chinese consumers.
The two countries are marking 70 years of diplomatic ties, with cooperation extending into culture, education, science and technology, health and other fields. Egypt’s position as a major Arab and African country also gives the relationship broader regional significance, including through coordination in multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and BRICS.
The partnership comes amid persistent instability in the Middle East, with Xi calling for greater regional autonomy in security, comprehensive approaches to regional hotspots, development to underpin security and stronger international coordination.
-- BERNAMA