German Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Energy Stefan Rouenhof has highlighted Egypt's significant potential for industrial development and integration into the global economy. He stressed that addressing economic and trade challenges requires building strong partnerships and enhancing the role of international organizations. Rouenhof made these remarks during his participation in the Cairo Forum 2026, a two-day event organized by the Egyptian Center for Economic Studies.
The German minister emphasized that Egypt and Germany enjoy a long-standing partnership spanning infrastructure, energy, and technology. He noted that Egypt is one of Germany's most important partners in the region, serving as a crucial link between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The two countries have a strong trade relationship, with bilateral trade exceeding 6 billion euros. Several major German companies, including Siemens, are actively investing in Egypt's energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors.
The Cairo Forum 2026 brings together high-ranking officials, experts, policymakers, and global thought leaders to discuss pressing global issues. The event focuses on navigating the complexities of the rapidly changing global landscape, analyzing geopolitical and economic trends, and their impact on trade, investment, energy, and supply chains. The forum's discussions also center on the future of global governance and the need for multilateral institution reform.
Rouenhof underscored the importance of fostering economic dialogue between Egypt, Germany, and the international community. He praised the Cairo Forum for establishing itself as a platform for discussing global economic challenges and exchanging perspectives on ongoing transformations. The forum's theme this year reflects the need to look beyond surface-level developments and understand the underlying factors reshaping the global economy.
The German minister highlighted the significance of evaluating global supply chain dynamics and exploring areas undergoing significant transformations, such as artificial intelligence. He also emphasized the growing role of Global South countries in shaping the future of the international economy. During his visit to Egypt in February, Rouenhof participated in the Egyptian-German Economic Committee, which discussed opportunities for developing economic relations.
Rouenhof expressed confidence in Egypt's business climate, citing the country's competitive advantages and growth potential. He identified the energy sector as a promising area for cooperation, given the shared challenges of securing affordable energy supplies, maintaining industrial competitiveness, and transitioning to more sustainable energy sources. German companies are already active in Egypt's energy and hydrogen sectors.
The minister emphasized that the future of German-Egyptian partnership extends beyond infrastructure projects, focusing on workforce development and equipping it to meet modern economy demands. He noted that Germany has extensive experience in vocational training, while Egypt has a large youth population with developable skills. This presents an opportunity to enhance cooperation in linking education, technology, and labor market needs.
Key points
- Egypt is a crucial link between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, with significant potential for industrial development and integration into the global economy.
- The bilateral trade between Egypt and Germany exceeds 6 billion euros, with several major German companies investing in Egypt's energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors.
- The energy sector is a promising area for cooperation between Egypt and Germany, given the shared challenges of securing affordable energy supplies and transitioning to more sustainable energy sources.
