Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: The sixth Session of India-Egypt Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was held here on September 16-`7 under the co-chairpersonship of Economic Adviser, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry Priya P. Nair and Deputy Minister of Investment & Foreign Trade and Chairman of the Egyptian Commercial Service, Arab Republic of Egypt Yahya Elwathik Bellah.
Egyptian Ambassador to India Wael Mohamed Awad Hamed, along with eight delegates from relevant ministries accompanied the Egyptian delegation.
Indian side informed that necessary approvals for signing the MoU on cooperation between National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) of India and MSME Development Agency (MSMEDA) of Egypt have been obtained. Both sides expressed their desire for an early signing and operationalization.
Focus areas named
Both sides identified several areas of focus for enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade and investment including that in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCEZ), pharmaceuticals and health sector, gems & jewelry, engineering goods, petroleum and mining, MSME Sector, customs matters, services sector, IT services, electronics manufacturing, apparel manufacturing, renewable energy – green hydrogen, food security, international trade settlement and digital payments, transport and trade disputes etc.
Both sides also discussed market access issues on agricultural products and agreed to resolve the issues as early as possible. They also agreed on closer collaboration between their respective Investment Promotion Agencies.
The deliberations were cordial and forward-looking, indicative of the amicable and special relations between the two countries. There was a positive response towards greater cooperation, addressing pending issues, and increasing trade and investment.
Both sides agreed to address all issues impeding bilateral trade expeditiously and facilitate trade promotion between the two countries and to hold the next meeting of the JTC in 2026, in Egypt.
