Latest news with #Egypt-Germany
Daily News Egypt
21-07-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt, Germany to expand partnership with new €100m debt swap
Egypt and Germany are expanding their economic partnership with a focus on innovative financing and private sector investment, with a new €100m ($109m) tranche under a debt-for-development swap programme to be activated by mid-2026, Egypt's Planning and International Cooperation Minister said on Sunday. Speaking at a joint press conference, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat said the visit of German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reem Alabali-Radovan, sent a strong message of partnership at a time of significant global and regional sensitivity. Al-Mashat said the two countries enjoy a strategic partnership that has evolved into a comprehensive collaboration, with Germany being one of Egypt's largest European partners in development cooperation, trade, and investment. Around 1,600 German companies operate in Egypt with total investments exceeding €6 billion in sectors including the green transition and manufacturing. The trade volume between the two countries is approximately €6.8 billion. Al-Mashat highlighted several key areas of cooperation, including: DEBT-FOR-DEVELOPMENT SWAP: The total value of the Egypt-Germany debt swap programme is €340m, with the new €100m tranche to be activated in December 2025 and June 2026. The programme has funded projects in technical education, health, climate action, and water and sanitation. GREEN TRANSITION: Germany is a key supporter of the energy pillar of Egypt's 'NWFE' country platform, having allocated €258m in concessional financing, grants, and debt swaps to support the electricity network and the integration of renewable energy projects. Additionally, the German-financed PtX Development Fund provided €30m to Norway's Scatec for its green hydrogen project in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. FINANCIAL COOPERATION: A financial cooperation agreement signed in May 2025 includes a €118m funding package for technical education and the integration of renewable energy into the grid. Al-Mashat said a new round of intergovernmental negotiations will be held by the end of this year to agree on priorities for the coming period. The minister also noted that Egypt values Germany's efforts within the European Union to finalise a €5bn macroeconomic support mechanism and budget support for Egypt. Al-Mashat said her discussions with her German counterpart included increasing development financing for the private sector through German financial institutions and establishing a new platform, similar to NWFE, to mobilise international partnerships for industrial development. She also highlighted the effective partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) in developing technical education to support national employment priorities. 'Egypt's economy is showing notable improvement in growth indicators, and we are working on enhancing macroeconomic stability to attract more foreign investment,' Al-Mashat said, adding that these efforts are part of a national plan to structurally transform the economy towards export-oriented sectors.
See - Sada Elbalad
13-06-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt Seeks to Elevate Ties with Germany to Strategic Partnership
Taarek Refaat Egypt is looking to upgrade its bilateral relationship with Germany to the level of a strategic partnership, Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati announced Friday during high-level talks in Cairo with his German counterpart Johann Wadephul. Speaking at a joint press conference, Abdel Ati described Egyptian-German relations as 'exemplary and extremely important,' highlighting significant progress in cooperation across multiple sectors in recent years. He noted that the German foreign minister's decision to begin his regional tour in Cairo reflects the strength and depth of the countries' ties. During the talks, both ministers led expanded delegations to discuss bilateral cooperation, regional developments, and international issues of mutual concern — with particular attention given to the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip. The minister emphasized Egypt's growing economic ties with Germany, underscoring the contributions of more than 1,600 German companies operating in Egypt. These firms are active in strategic sectors including automotive manufacturing, conventional and renewable energy, and the emerging field of green hydrogen. 'Our partnership with Germany has played a vital role in modernizing Egypt's economy,' Abdel Aty said. He expressed hope that the relationship would soon be formally upgraded to a strategic partnership, reflecting the level of coordination and shared priorities between the two nations. He cited a recent phone conversation between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as evidence of the deepening relationship, adding that Egypt is keen to see enhanced cooperation in development, investment, and trade. Among the key topics discussed was the second tranche of the Egypt-Germany debt swap agreement, which is expected to be finalized soon. The funds, to be paid in Egyptian pounds, will be directed toward domestic development projects. Both sides also explored mechanisms to increase trade volume and German investments in Egypt, positioning the country as a strategic gateway to African markets. Abdel Ati also highlighted Egypt's efforts to localize industry, part of its broader national development strategy, and invited greater German participation in the process. He pointed to Egypt's preferential trade access under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), COMESA, and the Arab Free Trade Area as additional incentives for German investors. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
Egypt Today
26-05-2025
- Business
- Egypt Today
Egypt, Germany Advance Green Energy Ties with €21 Million Debt Swap Deal
CAIRO – 26 May 2025: Egypt has signed a new €21 million debt swap agreement with Germany, further strengthening their long-standing development cooperation. The agreement brings together the Central Bank of Egypt, the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company, and Germany's KfW Development Bank. This funding will help bolster Egypt's renewable and sustainable energy infrastructure, supporting efforts to enhance energy security and transition to cleaner sources. With this latest deal, the total value of debt swap tranches executed between the two countries now stands at approximately €297 million—equivalent to around EGP 16.8 billion. Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, stressed the significance of the agreement, noting it extends a development partnership that began in 2011 and has since delivered numerous impactful projects. The agreement aligns with Germany's €250 million pledge at COP27 to support Egypt's NWFE (Nexus of Water, Food, and Energy) program, including €104 million allocated through debt swaps. One of the program's milestones came in 2023 with a €54 million agreement to expand Egypt's electricity transmission network and connect two major Red Sea wind farms—Noes and Amunet, with a combined capacity of 500 MW—to the national grid. A second tranche under the NWFE platform, valued at €50 million, is currently in the works. The Egypt-Germany debt swap program is governed by a structured framework that ensures effective implementation and optimal use of funds. The Ministry of Planning plays a leading role in coordinating project selection, conducting negotiations with KfW, and managing the technical and financial components in collaboration with national stakeholders.
