He held a series of intensive meetings and roundtables with senior officials from major US economic institutions and global companies to discuss cooperation opportunities in the pharmaceutical, energy, logistics, and automotive sectors. Official representation from the Egyptian Embassy in Washington and the Commercial Office attended the meetings.
In his first Washington meeting, the SCZONE Chairman met
with officials from Merck, a global leader in healthcare. The two sides
discussed collaboration in innovative health solutions and explored the
potential for localizing the manufacturing of medicines, vaccines, and
biological therapies within the SCZONE's industrial areas to serve local and
global markets. Gamal El-Din noted that localizing this vital sector is a key
pillar of the Egyptian state's strategic vision.
In a related context, Gamal El-Din participated in a
roundtable organized by McLarty Associates, a firm specializing in
international trade consultancy and strategy. The roundtable included
representatives from prominent companies such as SpaceX, Lucid Motors (electric
vehicles), Eurasia Group, Continental Strategy, and the Middle East Institute.
During the discussion, the SCZONE Chairman reviewed
investment opportunities available for companies looking to expand outside the
US via the Economic Zone gateway. He highlighted the unique strategic location
of the Zone and its affiliated ports on the Mediterranean and Red Seas. He also
emphasized SCZONE's efforts to fully utilize its economic tools across four
specialized industrial zones integrated with its six ports, aiming to localize 21
diverse industrial, service, and logistical sectors.
The SCZONE Chairman also presented at a roundtable hosted by
the global legal firm DLA Piper, where he outlined the SCZONE’s strategic
vision and the integration between its industrial zones and ports. He detailed
key direct and indirect investment incentives, the readiness of the
infrastructure and utilities, and the availability of energy sources and
trained human capital—factors that position the SCZONE as a globally preferred
investment destination.
Additionally, Gamal El-Din participated in a roundtable
organized by the US Chamber of Commerce, attended by Steve Lutes, the Chamber's
representative, and broad participation from major American and global
companies, including Caterpillar, Bechtel, Citi Bank, and CMA CGM, alongside
Nafiz International and the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt.
Gamal El-Din attributed the success and expansion of
investors over the past years to the readiness of the business environment
within the Authority. He explained that continuous efforts in infrastructure and
port development, coupled with clear steps towards digital transformation in
customs services, one-stop-shop services, and platforms that promote industrial
networking, enhance the readiness of the investment climate and support supply
chain integration across various industrial sectors.
In an effort to enhance food security and logistics
services, Walid Gamal El-Din held an important meeting with leaders of Blumberg
Grain, a logistics systems company, including Chairman and CEO Phillip Blumberg
and Vice President Jeff Speeks. The discussion focused on the project to
establish grain silos at East Port Said Port and the development of the cold
chain, which will reinforce the Zone's capacity as a global logistics hub for
grain handling.
The company representatives expressed their intention to visit Egypt next week to follow up on the executive steps of the project and coordinate with the SCZONE and relevant state authorities.