The tour commenced with his participation in the Egyptian-French Business Forum in Paris, attended by Egyptian Ambassador Alaa Youssef, French and Egyptian officials, and representatives from leading French companies and governmental bodies.
The forum saw intensive attendance from representatives of
French companies in the retail, energy, food industries, logistics services,
construction, and aircraft manufacturing sectors, notably including: AIRBUS
HELICOPTERS, ATRAD, AUCHAN, Carrefour, Cegedim, Cera, Downloogpad, CMA/CGM
(Shipping and Logistics Services), EDF EN, FIRIES, KFONET, NE, CONSULTANTS, Orange,
OVH, OWVIN, Runge/Semans, Saint Gobain, Sanofi, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, SODILAC /
Modulac, Valéo, Vallourec, Vinci, Voltalia, Renault M.
French governmental and institutional bodies also took part,
including: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministère des Affaires Etr.), Directorate
General of the Treasury – Bercy (DG Trésor, Bercy), Business France, PROPARCO
and UNIF A.
Trade entities and investment support organizations also
participated, such as: Banque Misr – Paris Branch (Banque Misr à Paris), Franco-Arab
Chamber of Commerce (CC Franco Arabe), Paris Chamber of Commerce (Chambre de
commerce du Paris), French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Egypt, Consular
Authority for African and Francophone Organizations (CC-CFCA), Paris Fair
(Foire de Paris), MEDEF International (French Business Confederation).
From the Egyptian side, participants included: The Egyptian
Embassy, The Commercial Office, The Cultural Office, General Authority for
Industrialization (Autorité Générale de l’Industrialisation), and Banque Misr.
A number of Egyptian private sector companies also
participated, most notably: AFRO GROUP, GALINA EGYPT, EXPOLINK, KFRUIT EGYPT, NATURA
EGYPT, FRUITANYA, EURODA, MOODY SOCKS, SEEGAW GROUP, SHEHATALAW (Law Office), SAFE
AL MASRY (Law Office), and Embiran Services PO.
In his address, Gamal El-Din explained that the SCZONE
serves as a strategic gateway for industrial and logistical investment in
Egypt, offering an integrated business environment across six seaports and four
industrial zones on both the Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts.
He highlighted the SCZONE's focus on key sectors: specialized
food industries, automotive/electric vehicles (EVs), energy solutions,
automation, and logistics. To enhance local manufacturing, expand exports, and
support Egypt’s economic growth, positioning SCZONE as a strategic platform for
French companies seeking to expand into the Middle East and Africa.
The Chairman held several bilateral meetings on the first
day to explore specific investment opportunities: SODILAC (Ghislain Ehremann,
CEO): Discussions centered on collaboration in specialized food industries,
particularly baby food products, and the potential to localize part of the
company’s production within SCZONE for access to African and European markets.
Airbus Helicopters (Maxime Nicolas, International Relations
Director): They explored investment in helicopter manufacturing and related
services, with Gamal El-Din emphasizing SCZONE's capacity to host advanced
industries that meet regional and global demand.
Schneider Electric (Pierre Grogojiat, VP): The meeting
addressed expansion opportunities in energy management, automation, and digital
industries, highlighting SCZONE’s supporting infrastructure and logistical
services.
Fives Group (David Avram, CEO): Discussions covered establishing advanced production lines in industrial engineering and electric mobility technologies, including the manufacturing of batteries and EV components, underscoring SCZONE's strategic role in attracting heavy and digital industrial investments.