Türkiye and Egypt pledged to strengthen economic and regional cooperation as Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met Turkish business leaders in Ankara on Wednesday, underscoring improving ties between the two regional powers.
Abdelatty and Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu, president of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), co-chaired a roundtable focused on expanding trade and investment opportunities.
Abdelatty said Cairo was committed to facilitating Turkish investments and positioning Egypt as “a gateway to Africa” for Turkish firms.
“Our government is determined to enhance bilateral economic relations and create a favorable climate for Turkish investors,” he told participants.
Hisarcıklıoğlu said the positive atmosphere following recent visits by the two presidents had boosted cooperation prospects, adding that business dialogue between the two countries had continued even through political tensions.
“Turkish companies have invested around $3 billion in Egypt, employing nearly 100,000 Egyptians,” he said.
Both sides expressed confidence that closer economic cooperation would support stronger political and regional relations between Ankara and Cairo.
The first meeting of the Türkiye–Egypt Joint Planning Group is due to take place on Thursday, co-chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Abdelatty.
Fidan is expected to stress the importance of maintaining the cease-fire in Gaza, discuss next steps in the truce process, and review efforts to achieve lasting stability in Syria and Libya.
Officials will also examine ways to promote the Eastern Mediterranean as a region of peace and prosperity.
High-level contacts between the two countries have intensified in recent months, with regular coordination between Fidan and Abdelatty. The Egyptian minister last visited Türkiye on Feb. 4.