Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal will undertake an official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt from 15 to 16 November 2026. The visit aims to further strengthen the longstanding India–Egypt partnership, with particular emphasis on expanding bilateral trade, promoting investment, enhancing industrial cooperation and strengthening business-to-business engagement.
India and Egypt share longstanding historical, civilizational and people-to-people ties, which have evolved into a multifaceted partnership encompassing political, economic, security and cultural cooperation. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India–Egypt relations have gained renewed momentum, culminating in the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, with a shared commitment to enhanced cooperation, including in the economic field.
The visit will comprise the 7th Session of the India–Egypt Joint Trade Committee (JTC), the India–Egypt Joint Business Council (JBC) Meeting and the India–Egypt Business Forum. The programme will also include bilateral meetings with senior Egyptian Ministers, interactions with leading business representatives and meetings with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Egyptian Junior Businessmen Association and the Egypt–India Startups Forum. These engagements are expected to provide fresh impetus to bilateral trade, investment, industrial cooperation and innovation linkages.
The 7th Session of the India–Egypt Joint Trade Committee (JTC) will be co-chaired by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Egypt H.E. Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh on 15 November 2026 in Cairo.
The JTC has been elevated to the Ministerial level, reflecting the importance both countries attach to strengthening their economic and commercial partnership. The meeting will provide an opportunity to review the progress of bilateral trade and investment relations and discuss measures to further diversify and expand the bilateral trade basket. Discussions are expected to cover market access issues, non-tariff barriers, trade remedies, agricultural and food products, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, engineering goods, chemicals and petrochemicals, fertilisers, textiles, MSMEs, customs cooperation, services, renewable energy, green hydrogen, transport and logistics, among other areas of mutual interest.
Bilateral merchandise trade during April–September 2026 stood at USD 5.04 billion, registering a growth of 64 per cent over the corresponding period of the previous year. India’s exports to Egypt during FY 2025–26 amounted to USD 3.87 billion, while imports from Egypt stood at USD 2.60 billion. India’s major exports to Egypt include meat and poultry products, petroleum products, organic chemicals, cotton and machinery, while its major imports include crude petroleum, fertilisers, cotton and mineral products. (Source: DGCIS)
The two sides are also expected to discuss measures to facilitate greater participation of businesses in each other’s markets, strengthen institutional mechanisms, address trade-related concerns and promote investment partnerships. Opportunities for cooperation in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, industrial development, manufacturing, infrastructure, ports and logistics, and regional value chains are also expected to feature in the discussions. Egypt’s strategic geographical location offers significant opportunities for Indian businesses to strengthen their presence in the country and access markets across Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
A high-level Indian business delegation comprising over 130 CEOs and senior industry representatives from diverse sectors will participate in the India–Egypt Joint Business Council Meeting and the India–Egypt Business Forum. The JBC Meeting and Business Forum will provide platforms for direct engagement between business leaders and industry stakeholders from both countries to explore opportunities for enhancing bilateral trade and investment, fostering joint ventures, promoting technology partnerships and strengthening industrial collaboration.
During the visit, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal will also hold bilateral meetings with senior Egyptian Ministers to exchange views on further strengthening bilateral economic and commercial relations, particularly in the areas of trade, investment and industrial cooperation.
The visit reflects India’s continued commitment to strengthening its economic engagement with Egypt, an important partner in North Africa and a strategic gateway to regional markets. Both countries have significant opportunities to expand cooperation in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, textiles, chemicals, engineering goods, food processing, renewable energy, logistics and emerging technologies. The visit is expected to provide fresh momentum to the India–Egypt economic partnership, strengthen institutional cooperation and create new opportunities for Indian and Egyptian businesses.
