The General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) hosted the Egyptian-Chinese Forum for Enhancing Investment, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Partnerships, aimed at forging stronger links between Egypt’s business ecosystem and China’s innovation leaders.
The Chinese delegation included dozens of university professors and business executives from Shanghai—China’s economic capital—led by Dr. Xiongwen Lu, Dean of the School of Management at Fudan University, Founding Director of the University’s Marketing Research Center, and board member of several multinational and industrial giants in China.
Dr. Lu expressed confidence in Egypt’s readiness to attract significant Chinese investments in the near future, stating that Fudan University would leverage its deep connections with China’s business community to promote Egypt as a key investment destination.
He highlighted the longstanding diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations, noting that Egypt and China will celebrate 70 years of bilateral ties next year. In 2014, H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Chinese President Xi Jinping witnessed the signing of an agreement to elevate the relationship to a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership"—the highest level of international relations. Egypt was also among the first countries to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to develop a vast trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Discussions during the forum focused on linking Egyptian industries with cutting-edge Chinese technologies, particularly amid growing interest from Chinese investors following Egypt’s infrastructure and legislative breakthroughs. Egypt’s competitive advantages—such as a skilled labor force, strategic geographic location, and trade agreements giving access to over 3 billion consumers worldwide—were also spotlighted.
Mr. Hossam Heiba, GAFI’s CEO, emphasized that localizing technology and supporting innovative ideas are top government priorities. He noted that Egypt has granted the “Golden License” to two Chinese companies—Haier and Midea—for their commitment to localizing industrial technology.
Additionally, GAFI has trained more than 300,000 entrepreneurs over the past five years, many of whom have contributed to modernizing Egypt’s economy and integrating it with global technological trends.
Heiba also announced plans to establish technology innovation centers within Egypt’s free and investment zones, in partnership with leading investment-exporting countries, foremost among them the People’s Republic of China.
