to Strengthen Economic Relations Between Egypt and Australia
New Benefit, under the leadership of Ms. Naglaa Akl, CEO, organized a high-level meeting supported by the Egyptian Commercial Service (ECS) to reinforce economic relations and explore investment and trade opportunities between Egypt and Australia.
The meeting brought together Dr. Abdel Aziz El-Sherif, First Undersecretary of the Ministry and Head of ECS, and Mr. Axel Wabenhorst, Australian Ambassador to Cairo. Also in attendance were Eng. Mostafa Ibrahim, Chairman of Keendex International and Head of the Egyptian Side of the Egypt-Australia Business Council; Mrs. Zahraa Ahmed Ali, Commercial Minister Plenipotentiary and Director of Asian Affairs at ECS; and Mr. Mohamed Atiya, First Commercial Secretary responsible for the Australia portfolio at ECS. The Egyptian Commercial Service (ECS), represented by Dr. Abdel Aziz El-Sherif and his team, plays a central role in facilitating bilateral trade and investment by promoting Egyptian export interests abroad, supporting business matchmaking, and coordinating with foreign missions to enhance economic cooperation.
This meeting aimed to reinforce bilateral economic ties by discussing Egypt’s ongoing economic reforms to attract foreign direct investment, improve competitiveness, and develop the business environment. Both sides identified priority sectors with mutual interest and competitive advantages, including mining and minerals, renewable energy especially green hydrogen agriculture, and education.
A key focus was to organize and promote business delegations and trade missions to facilitate closer cooperation between Egyptian and Australian companies. The participants agreed to implement coordinated activities that introduce Australian businesses to Egypt’s investment landscape and opportunities, thereby boosting bilateral trade, which currently remains below its potential.
Building on the success of previous Egyptian trade missions to Lithuania and Latvia, the ECS, in partnership with New Benefit and the relevant embassies and business councils, will spearhead the organization of an Egyptian business delegation to Australia later this year. This delegation will focus on priority sectors and aims to create strong business networks, attract Australian investment, and promote Egypt as a competitive investment destination.
Ms. Naglaa Akl’s participation as CEO of New Benefit underscores the company’s important role in supporting ECS initiatives and enhancing economic and investment relations between Egypt and global partners.