Egypt Invites Pakistani Firms to Build Factories
Egypt's investment minister urged Pakistani companies to set up manufacturing operations in Egypt during talks on the sidelines of a COMCEC session in Istanbul.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in International Trade
Egypt's Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade invited Pakistani companies to establish manufacturing operations in Egypt during a meeting with Pakistan's Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan. The talks took place on the sidelines of the 42nd Session of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation in Istanbul, Türkiye.
Why it matters
Egypt's preferential trade arrangements with the United States could let Pakistani investors reach the American market from Egyptian facilities. Both ministers framed the talks as a push to expand bilateral trade and industrial cooperation, particularly in cotton and textiles.
The available figures are limited to the 42nd Session of the COMCEC Standing Committee, with no reported trade volumes or investment amounts. The meetings did not disclose quantified targets for Pakistan-Egypt, Pakistan-Saudi, or Pakistan-Tunisia trade.
The players
Jam Kamal Khan
Jam Kamal Khan is Pakistan's Federal Minister for Commerce, responsible for the country's trade and export policy.
Fareed S. Alasaly
Fareed S. Alasaly is Saudi Arabia's Deputy Governor for International Organizations and Agreements, overseeing the kingdom's engagement with multilateral bodies.
Samir Abid
Samir Abid is Tunisia's Minister of Trade and Export Development, leading the country's trade promotion and export policy.
The details
Egypt's minister asked for details of Pakistani companies expected at an upcoming business forum and highlighted affordable educational opportunities for Pakistani students in science, medicine and engineering. Separately, Jam Kamal Khan met Saudi Arabia's Deputy Governor for International Organizations and Agreements, Fareed S. Alasaly, and Tunisia's Minister of Trade and Export Development, Samir Abid, where both sides said trade with Tunisia remains below its potential.
Timeline
The bilateral meetings were held on the sidelines of the 42nd Session of the COMCEC Standing Committee in Istanbul.
A business forum where Pakistani companies are expected to participate is scheduled for an unspecified upcoming date.
Market Dynamics
The talks were held at the 42nd COMCEC Standing Committee session, a recurring forum where Organisation of Islamic Cooperation members pursue bilateral trade and investment agreements. The meetings extend that forum's role as a venue for deal-making between member states rather than for multilateral policy alone.
Investors weighing manufacturing sites in Egypt could evaluate its U.S. trade preferences as a route to American buyers. Businesses considering Pakistan-Tunisia or Pakistan-Saudi partnerships should note both sides acknowledged room for growth in those trade relationships.
The takeaway
Trade agreements between emerging-market partners often start as side conversations at multilateral forums, and the terms of U.S. preference access will determine whether an Egyptian factory can serve the American market. Watch for the business forum's participant list to see whether these talks turn into actual investment commitments.
Further reading
For broader context on cross-border commerce, explore our International Trade coverage.
