Dr. Rania El-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, participated in the celebration organized by the Korean Embassy on the occasion of South Korea’s National Day and the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, representing Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister.

The event was attended by Park Bum-ki, the Korean presidential envoy, Kim Young-hyun, South Korean Ambassador to Cairo, Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education, Amr Hamza, Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, Amal Omar, Chairperson of the National Council for Women, and representatives of national entities and foreign ambassadors.

El-Mashat emphasized the depth of Egyptian-Korean relations, characterized by mutual respect and a keen pursuit of sustainable development goals, as well as a sincere desire to work together to achieve security, stability, and development in both the Middle East and East Asia. She noted that over the past three decades, relations between Egypt and Korea have been a model of fruitful cooperation and strategic partnership.

She added that celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations is not only an opportunity to appreciate the historical ties but also a chance to reflect on the development achieved through joint work, highlighting the economic cooperation as a key feature. She referenced President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s remarks that “the Korean experience presents an example of activity, dedication, and respect for the value of work,” and his expressed interest in learning more about Korea’s development experience.

El-Mashat stated that South Korea is one of Egypt’s most prominent partners in Asia, with Korean companies active in vital projects in smart transportation, heavy industries, renewable energy, and digitalization, alongside notable expansion of Korean investments in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, reflecting the Korean business community’s confidence in Egypt’s investment environment.

She also confirmed the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation’s commitment, as the manager of the development cooperation portfolio with international partners, to enhancing cooperation relations between the two sides.

She mentioned that cooperation covers priority areas for the Egyptian government, including education, training, vocational training, investment, transport, energy, trade, and digital transformation, where Korea has a relative advantage and pioneering experience. Among the key ongoing projects with Korea is the manufacturing and supply of 320 metro cars for Cairo Metro Lines 2 and 3, which supports Egypt’s efforts to localize railway industry, as well as the project to develop signaling systems for Egypt’s railways – upgrading signaling on the Luxor – Nag Hammadi railway line – and the project to improve Egypt’s public e-procurement system for the Government Services Authority, supporting Egypt’s digital transformation efforts.

She pointed to a recently signed grant agreement worth $10 million for vocational training to enhance green vehicle maintenance, in cooperation with the Productivity and Vocational Training Authority under the Ministry of Industry, noting that more cooperation agreements are expected soon, reflecting the depth of bilateral relations and the keenness to strengthen them.

El-Mashat explained that the future cooperation portfolio with Korea is diverse, with discussions underway to implement several projects in fields including artificial intelligence, education, and digital transformation. She emphasized that the distinguished relations between the two sides are not limited to the economic field, but that the cultural dimension is a cornerstone of Egypt-South Korea relations.

El-Mashat stressed the importance of enhancing mutual understanding and future cooperation between Egypt and Korea, reflecting their shared commitment to strengthening economic and developmental relations, looking forward to their continuation and growth, which will have a positive and tangible impact on the peoples of both countries and enhance their ability to face common global challenges.