The meeting was attended by Sameh El Hefny, Minister of Civil Aviation, Fahad Al Mheiri, Boeing Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, and Ambassador Khaled Azmi, Assistant Foreign Minister for American Affairs.
Madbouly welcomed the President of Boeing. He noted that the
visit to Egypt coincides with unprecedented positive momentum in Egyptian
American relations following the productive meeting between President Abdel
Fattah El Sisi, President of the Republic, and US President Donald Trump on the
sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21.
He expressed his hope that the meeting between the Egyptian
and American presidents, along with many other positive interactions between
the two countries, would give strong impetus to bilateral relations across
various fields.
The Prime Minister praised the level of bilateral relations
between Egypt and the United States during the first year of the current Trump
administration. He noted that this period witnessed an exchange of high level
visits between officials of both countries, most recently the visit of
Christopher Landau, US Deputy Secretary of State.
Madbouly said that Egypt consistently seeks, through all
joint meetings and contacts between officials of both countries, to highlight
its commitment to strengthening economic and investment relations with the
United States. He pointed to Egypt efforts to launch the economic track within
the framework of the Egyptian American Strategic Dialogue. He said this would
contribute to boosting mutual investments, expanding bilateral trade, and
increasing the role and activity of the private sector in both countries.
He expressed his aspiration to hold the second round of the
Egyptian American Joint Economic Commission in Cairo later this year. He noted
that preparations are underway for the second edition of the Egyptian American
Economic Forum during the year, in coordination with the US Chamber of Commerce
in Washington. He expressed hope for high level participation by the US
administration, which would help achieve a qualitative leap in a priority file
for both sides.
He affirmed that the Egyptian government is exerting every
effort to attract new American companies from various US states to operate in
Egypt. He stressed the importance of expanding the investments of companies
already operating in the country and removing any obstacles they may face. He
said this reflects the state firm conviction that the private sector is the
primary driver of development and economic growth.
The Prime Minister praised the historic and strategic
relations with Boeing. He expressed his aspiration to further strengthen and
develop these relations in a way that serves the interests of both sides. He
pointed to the government desire to add more Boeing aircraft to the fleet of
EgyptAir, in light of the significant growth in civil aviation traffic in
Egypt.
El Hefny affirmed that all possible support will be provided
to Boeing to expand its investments in Egypt civil aviation sector. He noted
that the Egyptian government can offer numerous incentives to the American
company in this regard.
Nelson expressed his aspiration for greater cooperation with
the Egyptian government. He confirmed that relations between the two sides are
strategic and span nearly six decades. He said the company will work to elevate
joint cooperation to broader levels.
He noted that Boeing is ready to expand academic cooperation
to train and educate engineers and technicians in the civil aviation sector.
The President of Boeing confirmed the company interest in
injecting additional investments in several markets around the world, including
Egypt. He also expressed appreciation for Egypt important regional role,
particularly its role related to the Gaza Strip.