The forum, held at the Burkinabe Chamber of Commerce, saw
high-level participation from business leaders of both nations, including
Burkinabe Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré and Roland Sou, president
of the Burkinabe Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
A delegation of 30 Egyptian business leaders, representing
major companies across various sectors, attended the event. The delegation was
led by Dr. Sherif El-Gabaly, chairman of the African Cooperation Committee at the
Federation of Egyptian Industries. Other key participants included Dr. Mohey
Hafez, head of the Export Council for Medical Industries, and Maj. Gen. Hazem
Ahmed Yehia, assistant director of the Future of Egypt for Sustainable
Development Agency, along with representatives from the Egyptian Exporters
Association, the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, and the Mineral
Resources Authority.
The forum facilitated meetings between Egyptian and
Burkinabe companies, leading to discussions on potential partnerships and joint
ventures in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, mining,
manufacturing, and new and renewable energy.
In his address, Abdelatty stressed the forum's objective to
open direct communication channels between the business communities. He urged
private sector participants to leverage investment opportunities in both
countries, advocating for partnerships built on trust, sustainability, and
mutual benefit. He highlighted the deep, historic fraternal relations between
Egypt and Burkina Faso, which have seen significant political, economic, and
developmental advancements.
Dr. Abdelatty lauded the forum as a demonstration of shared
political will to strengthen economic, commercial, and investment cooperation.
He underscored that enhanced private sector collaboration is crucial for job
creation, increased production, and building resilient economies capable of
confronting challenges.
The Minister also pointed to the promising potential of the
Burkinabe market in agriculture, energy, mining, and infrastructure. He
contrasted this with Egypt's extensive expertise in pharmaceuticals,
construction, renewable energy, information technology, and technical
education, suggesting a fertile ground for successful partnerships and
knowledge exchange to support development efforts in both countries.
Abdelatty further detailed Egypt's achievements in
infrastructure and services, noting that Egyptian exports annually exceed $44.5
billion, with $6.5 billion directed to African markets. He attributed this to
progress in local manufacturing, supported by over $500 billion in
infrastructure investments since 2014, including improvements in roads, ports,
railways, and new cities, which he described as a cornerstone for boosting
economic cooperation with fellow African nations.
Concluding his speech, Dr. Abdelatty stated that the forum serves as a platform to embody the shared commitment to an economic future based on continental integration and confidence in Africa's inherent capabilities. He expressed hope that the forum's outcomes would propel the partnership between the two countries towards greater cooperation, development, and prosperity.