In an exclusive interview with IN Diplomacy, H.E. Ahmed Mostafa, Ambassador of Egypt to Singapore, outlines Egypt’s thriving trade sectors, regulatory improvements, and promising prospects for bilateral partnerships.
Singapore, 29 April 2025 – In an exclusive conversation with IN Diplomacy as part of its ongoing Trade Talk Series, H.E. Ahmed Mostafa, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Republic of Singapore, shared detailed insights into Egypt’s current trade strengths, foreign direct investment (FDI) landscape, and opportunities for international collaboration.
Q: What are the most promising sectors for foreign trade and investment in your country?
Egypt has many opportunities in trade and investment that cover many domains. As Egypt has made very big achievements in terms of promoting foreign trade in the last few years, Egypt has reached an unprecedented figure of 41 billion Dollars of non–oil exports in 2024. This figure reflected the growing export capabilities of the country.
Trade in agri-food products like fruits and vegetables, fertilizers, cement, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, furniture, and leather products is one of the main products that Egypt has been very successful in exporting in the last few years. On the other hand, investment in infrastructure and urban development, electronics and IT, Renewable energy projects, and agri-food industries have also been very attractive to foreign investments in Egypt and are still open for more FDI.
Q: Are there specific regulations or compliance requirements for foreign trade with Egypt?
Like any other country, some regulations and rules govern foreign trade, however, the Government has come a long way in easing those regulations to encourage the flow of trade with the World. This has resulted, as mentioned, in a significant increase in trade with Egypt in the last years.
All regulations are available online, and any interested company or institution can approach the Embassy for further information.
Q: What types of partnerships are you currently seeking — investment, innovation, education, etc.?
Egypt is a fast-growing economy and society, with current partnerships with tens of countries around the World, including Singapore, covering many areas with many other areas to explore, including IT, Education, capacity building, industry, energy, and renewable Energy etc.
When it comes to Singapore, we believe that our long-standing excellent relations entitle both countries to a better partnership in various fields, with almost no exception.
Q: What is your advice to Singaporean (or foreign) companies planning to invest or establish operations in Egypt?
I advise them to make use of the large amount of online information about trade and investment in Egypt. Trade and investment promotion institutions and boards give abundant economic information about Egypt, and are a good start for studying the Egyptian trade and investment market.
Q: Which Egyptian goods offer a competitive edge for Singapore-based importers?
Egypt offers numerous products that stand out for their cost competitiveness and tariff advantages, including food items, building materials, textiles, pharmaceuticals, herbs, fertilisers, and clothing.
Q: How do you promote your country’s exports internationally?
Egyptian Embassies around the world play an important role in promoting investment and trade with Egypt, however the good quality of the Egyptian products and the attractive investment conditions in Egypt are the most important factor in attracting more partners from all over the World and it was the main reason that Egypt is now the best investment destination in Africa with more than 46 Billion Dollars FDA came to Egypt in 2024.
