EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke at the opening of the EU-Egypt Investment Conference in Egypt.
"It has only been 100 days since we launched a new era of friendship between Egypt and the EU," von der Leyen said, adding that they are already reaping the fruits of this close relationship.
"Europe is already Egypt's largest trading partner and investor," von der Leyen said, recalling that the EU and Egypt signed a new Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership in March. The EU makes 40 percent of foreign direct investments in Egypt."
Emphasizing that Egypt is the gateway to Europe between Africa and the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific, and that the stability and prosperity of the country is of vital importance for the entire region, von der Leyen said, "Today we have come to Cairo accompanied by European companies, investors and financial institutions. We have more than a thousand company representatives who want to learn from us about new business opportunities."
More aid was promised three months ago
Von der Leyen reminded that 3 months ago, they had pledged more financial aid to Egypt, more investment in strategic sectors and increasing the skills of workers.
"In March, we announced a major financing and investment package of 7.4 billion euros for Egypt," von der Leyen said, "Today we are signing the first 1 billion euros of macro-financial assistance. This package will promote Egypt's reform agenda, which the private sector needs."
Von der Leyen reminded that they also committed to increase strategic investments in Egypt and said, "Now we aim to mobilize new European investments worth 1.8 billion euros."
She added that Egypt has an ambitious goal of becoming a clean energy hub, stressing that Europe mostly uses batteries, solar panels and wind turbines produced far away, and that forces should be joined to produce them in the region.
Von der Leyen pointed out that it is also important to increase the skills of workers in Egypt and said, "Today we are signing a new project worth 25 million euros to provide clean technology and digital training to Egyptian youth."
"We are supporting our new partnership with significant public investments," von der Leyen said, adding that the real difference can be made when the private sector gets involved.
"At this Conference, European companies are signing more than 20 new agreements or memorandums of understanding with their Egyptian partners worth more than 40 billion euros," von der Leyen said.
Von der Leyen said that they are accompanied by company representatives from many sectors such as hydrogen, water management, construction, chemistry, maritime, aviation and automotive, adding that they want to make the partnership with Egypt a success.
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