Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty began a visit to Bangkok on Monday, meeting with government and parliamentary officials to enhance cooperation between Egypt and Thailand. The visit aims to strengthen political, economic, investment, and educational ties between the two nations. Abdelatty's meetings included discussions with Thai Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa on expanding trade and investment.
Abdelatty and Silpa-archa explored ways to boost industrial cooperation, including joint manufacturing projects in rubber, petrochemicals, and tyres. Egypt seeks to benefit from Thailand's experience in industrial localisation, innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability. Abdelatty highlighted investment opportunities in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), citing HI TECH as the first Thai industrial project in the zone.
Abdelatty met with Sophon Saram, President of Thailand's House of Representatives and National Assembly, to discuss bilateral relations and parliamentary cooperation. He noted that bilateral relations gained momentum in 2026, citing the eighth round of political consultations held in Cairo and reciprocal parliamentary visits. Abdelatty invited the Thai parliamentary speaker to visit Egypt.
Abdelatty also discussed strengthening educational and cultural ties, including partnerships between Egyptian and Thai universities, scholarship programmes, and Al-Azhar's role in educating Thai students. He called for increased Thai investment in Egypt and improved access for Egyptian agricultural products to the Thai market.
Abdelatty met with Yoonadi Waba, chairman of the Thai-Egyptian Parliamentary Friendship Group, to discuss expanding parliamentary exchanges and establishing direct contacts between specialised committees. The talks covered vocational training, expanding scholarship exchanges, and ways for parliamentarians to encourage closer ties between the two countries' business communities.
Abdelatty held talks with Nirat Yoopakdee, chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, on parliamentary and economic cooperation, as well as regional and international developments. Abdelatty called for activating the joint trade committee agreed upon in December 2024, stressing Egypt's role as a gateway for Thai companies seeking access to African and European markets.
The two sides exchanged views on developments in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East and agreed to continue consultations on issues of mutual interest. Abdelatty welcomed Thailand's efforts to deepen its engagement with Africa and affirmed Egypt's readiness to support stronger Thai-African economic and development cooperation.
Key points
- Egypt and Thailand aim to strengthen political, economic, and educational cooperation.
- Abdelatty highlights investment opportunities in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
- The two countries agree to continue consultations on issues of mutual interest.
