Egyptian Transport Minister Kaml El-Wazir met with his Saudi counterpart, Saleh Al-Jasser, to discuss ways to boost cooperation in transportation, logistics, and maritime connectivity. The meeting aimed to support trade and maximize the benefits of the strategic locations of both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. This cooperation is expected to integrate both countries into various international corridors.
At the beginning of the meeting, El-Wazir congratulated Al-Jasser on Saudi National Day, conveying greetings from Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the Saudi people. El-Wazir emphasized the deep-rooted relations between the two nations, which go beyond diplomatic and economic ties, and are based on a shared history and destiny.
El-Wazir highlighted that Egypt's development vision, under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's leadership, and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, led by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, offer vast opportunities for further integration through strategic partnerships in the transportation and logistics sectors. These sectors are considered key drivers of growth and development in the coming phase.
The Saudi Transport Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries, especially given the significant developments in the transportation and infrastructure sectors in both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The ministers discussed the importance of joint efforts to enhance integration between Egypt and Saudi Arabia in international corridors and maritime connectivity.
The two ministers stressed the significance of the Southern Arab Trade Corridor, which connects Europe and the Gulf countries through Egypt. They also highlighted the importance of utilizing the Egyptian-Italian Ro-Ro line between the ports of Damietta and Trieste, and the integrated logistics corridors leading to the port of Safaga and then to the port of NEOM (formerly Duba) in Saudi Arabia.
El-Wazir mentioned that the Egyptian Transport Ministry has planned to establish eight integrated logistics corridors to connect production areas with seaports. These corridors will utilize a network of railways and main roads, passing through dry ports and logistics zones, to transform Egypt into a regional hub for transportation, logistics, and transit trade.
The ministers concluded that the next phase requires continued cooperation and opening up new avenues for partnership in economic, investment, and trade fields. They emphasized the importance of maximizing the use of available resources and capabilities to increase cooperation and joint projects, enhancing the mutual interests of the two nations.
Key points
- Egypt and Saudi Arabia aim to enhance cooperation in transportation, logistics, and maritime connectivity.
- The two countries plan to utilize the Southern Arab Trade Corridor to connect Europe and the Gulf countries.
- Egypt's Transport Ministry has planned to establish eight integrated logistics corridors to connect production areas with seaports.
