30 Jun Infrastructure Mission to Egypt
UK-Egypt Infrastructure Trade Mission 2024: A Resounding Success.
In partnership with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), the British Embassy in Cairo, the British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA), the Alexandria Business Association (ABA), and the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association (EBA), the Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce (EBCC) successfully led the Infrastructure Mission to Egypt from June 24 to June 27, 2024. The mission was designed to provide UK businesses with direct access to Egypt’s growing infrastructure market, leveraging key trade events such as Big 5 Egypt Construct and the Egyptian Water & Infrastructure Expo (EIWE).
Mission Overview and Objectives
The mission followed a successful inward visit of Egyptian EPC contractors to the UK earlier in the year, highlighting the growing trade opportunities in infrastructure between the two nations. Recognising the need for UK businesses to gain deeper insights and direct engagement with Egyptian decision-makers, the mission aimed to:
- Facilitate market entry and networking for UK companies.
- Provide intelligence on infrastructure opportunities.
- Enable UK firms to connect with major Egyptian procurement officers and government ministers.
With the EBCC acting as the delivery partner, the mission was designed to maximize engagement through a structured agenda of high-level meetings, networking events, and site visits.
Key Activities and Engagements
- Day 1: The delegation commenced with a high-impact session at the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), which provided market insights and facilitated over 100 pre-arranged B2B meetings between UK businesses and potential Egyptian partners.
- Day 2: A landmark meeting with Her Excellency Hala Helmy el-Said, Egyptian Minister of Planning and Economic Development, was a highlight, with national press and television covering the event. Several delegates secured follow-up meetings with ministry officials, reinforcing the mission’s strategic importance.
- Day 3: Delegates participated in a high-level breakfast networking event hosted by BEBA, engaging with key decision-makers from its 800+ members, further enhancing trade and investment dialogues.
Site Visits & Trade Show Participation: The mission coincided with the Big 5 Egypt Construct and EIWE exhibitions, providing UK businesses with exclusive insights into Egypt’s infrastructure projects and investment landscape.
Key Outcomes and Success Stories
- One UK company secured a contract worth over £9 million during the visit.
- The combined total of anticipated contracts from participating companies over the next five years is projected to exceed £150 million, a figure expected to grow as follow-ups continue.
- High-level engagements facilitated direct access to Egyptian government officials and senior procurement leaders, paving the way for long-term trade relationships.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Infrastructure Mission to Egypt proved to be a resounding success, reinforcing the strength of UK-Egypt trade relations. The strategic partnerships with DBT, the British Embassy, BEBA, ABA, and EBA ensured that UK businesses were well-prepared and had access to critical decision-makers in the Egyptian market.
As a follow-up, the UK delegation has been invited to meet His Excellency Sherif Kamel, Egyptian Ambassador to the UK, in London on July 24, where discussions will focus on mission outcomes and further trade opportunities. This continued engagement underscores the commitment of both nations to strengthening bilateral trade in the infrastructure sector.
With such impactful results, this mission has set a strong foundation for future collaboration, driving UK exports and fostering sustainable infrastructure development in Egypt.
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