The Indonesian Ambassador to Cairo, Kuntjoro Giri Waseso, confirmed his country's desire to increase trade turnover with Egypt. Currently, trade between the two states exceeds one billion dollars annually, driven by historical ties.
The Indonesian Ambassador to Cairo, Kuntjoro Giri Waseso, confirmed his country's desire to increase trade turnover with Egypt. Currently, trade between the two states exceeds one billion dollars annually, driven by historical ties.
These statements were made during the ambassador's meeting on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, with members of the Aswan Chamber of Commerce. Hossam Al-Ansari chaired the chamber, and Suhair Al-Masri, head of the Council of Women Entrepreneurs at the chamber, along with staff from the Indonesian embassy, attended the meeting.
The ambassador noted that Indonesia holds a strong position among investing countries in the Egyptian market due to the implementation of various projects. He expressed satisfaction with the visit to Aswan aimed at strengthening joint work and investments. For her part, Suhair Al-Masri emphasized the ambassador's interest in communicating with chamber members to improve cooperation, urging the utilization of partnership opportunities with Indonesia as a major global exporter of modern technologies.
Al-Masri reported that chamber representatives presented extensive natural resources of the province, especially in the fields of mineral extraction, quarry materials, and marble industry. She also highlighted the significant role of the Council of Women Entrepreneurs in supporting working women in the agricultural and industrial sectors. It was proposed to organize a joint event for exporters, importers, and producers from both countries.
The commercial attaché of the Indonesian embassy promised to organize this meeting soon to create a common market through Aswan. Furthermore, it was agreed to provide the chamber with a database of Indonesian traders and information on market needs. Hossam Al-Ansari, the chamber chairman, welcomed the ambassador's visit to discuss cooperation in the industries of manufacturing, mining, and food production.
Al-Ansari stated that the chamber presented a list of Aswan's mineral resources and solar energy facilities, expressing a desire to receive expert assistance from Indonesia for the production of components for solar power plants, which are currently imported. He also spoke about Egypt's plans to expand its presence in Africa and Sudan through its southern passage, positioning Aswan as a center for Indonesian exports to Sudan and the continent. In conclusion, Al-Ansari mentioned that Indonesia invited the chamber and local investors to participate in an upcoming investment exhibition organized by Indonesia via Zoom to showcase trade and partnership opportunities, and also suggested investing in the logistics zone being developed in Karkara, south of Aswan, utilizing Egypt's logistical support and investment opportunities.
Uzbekistan and Afghanistan held a meeting to discuss deepening economic cooperation. The parties confirmed the goal of increasing mutual trade volume to the mark of $5 billion and developing more favorable conditions for doing business.
The negotiations included Jamshid Khojaev, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, and Nur Ahmad Islamjar, Governor of the Afghan province of Herat. Representatives from the chambers of commerce of both countries, heads of relevant ministries, and businessmen were present.
The central topic of discussion was achieving the target turnover of $5 billion. Furthermore, the parties agreed to introduce special, preferential tariffs on fourteen items of Afghan products intended for export, and also provided for discounts on the transportation of goods by rail between the two states.
Mohammad Yunus Kazizad, Chairman of the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, noted his region's interest in implementing joint investment projects and its readiness to assist in developing partnerships between Uzbek and Afghan enterprises. As a result of the meeting, it was decided to maintain continuous dialogue regarding logistics, trade, and investment issues.
Previously, Uzbekistan initiated the introduction of a new format of container railway transport directed to Afghanistan. This measure is expected to help reduce transportation costs and simplify the process of delivering goods for business circles.
Uzbekistan and Turkey have reached an agreement to expand the list of goods that can benefit from a preferential trade regime. This decision was made following a meeting of the Working Group of Uzbekistan and Turkey on the preferential trade agreement.
During official meetings in Uzbekistan, a Turkish delegation led by Deputy Minister of Trade Mustafa Tuzcu visited the country. The co-chairs of the meeting were Akram Aliyev, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, and Mustafa Tuzcu.
During discussions, both sides focused on mutually expanding the range of products covered by the conditions of preferential trade. At the conclusion of the third round of negotiations, participants reached a common understanding on the main issues.
The meeting concluded with the signing of a protocol confirming the inclusion of additional categories of goods in the list eligible for the preferential regime, taking into account the interests of both countries.
Participants emphasized that the agreements reached should contribute to further stimulating bilateral trade, increasing export and import volumes, and supporting the goal of the two states to increase trade turnover to 5 billion US dollars.
