New Delhi, Nov 14: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is scheduled to visit Egypt on November 15 and 16 to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, with a major focus on expanding bilateral trade, attracting investments and exploring new business opportunities.
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A high-level Indian business delegation comprising more than 130 CEOs, industry leaders and startup representatives will accompany the minister during the two-day visit.
The visit will feature the 7th India–Egypt Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting, the India–Egypt Joint Business Council (JBC) meeting and the India–Egypt Business Forum. These engagements are expected to open new avenues for trade partnerships, industrial cooperation, technology exchange and joint ventures.
Piyush Goyal to Co-Chair Key Trade Meeting
One of the major highlights of the visit will be the 7th session of the India–Egypt Joint Trade Committee, scheduled to take place in Cairo on November 15.
Goyal will co-chair the meeting with Egypt's Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Dr Mohamed Farid Saleh.
The ministerial-level meeting will review the progress of bilateral trade and investment relations and explore ways to diversify the range of goods and services exchanged between the two countries.
Key areas expected to feature in the discussions include pharmaceuticals, healthcare, agricultural products, food processing, engineering goods, chemicals, fertilisers, textiles, renewable energy, green hydrogen, transport and logistics.
Both sides are also expected to deliberate on market access challenges, non-tariff barriers, customs cooperation and measures to facilitate greater participation of businesses in each other's markets.
India-Egypt Trade Records 64% Growth
India and Egypt have witnessed significant growth in merchandise trade in recent months.
According to official data, bilateral merchandise trade reached USD 5.04 billion during April–September 2026, registering a growth of 64 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year.
During the 2025–26 financial year, India's exports to Egypt stood at USD 3.87 billion, while imports from the North African country amounted to USD 2.60 billion.
India's major exports to Egypt include meat and poultry products, petroleum products, organic chemicals, cotton and machinery. Imports from Egypt mainly comprise crude petroleum, fertilisers, cotton and mineral products.
The upcoming discussions are expected to focus on further expanding trade volumes and addressing challenges faced by businesses operating in both markets.
130+ Indian Business Leaders to Explore Opportunities
A major component of the visit will be the participation of over 130 Indian business leaders and startup representatives in the India–Egypt Joint Business Council meeting and Business Forum.
The platforms will bring together industry representatives from both countries to explore investment opportunities, establish business partnerships, promote joint ventures and strengthen industrial collaboration.
The India–Egypt Startup Forum will also provide an opportunity for emerging businesses to explore cooperation in innovation, technology, investment and entrepreneurship.
Goyal is additionally scheduled to interact with senior Egyptian ministers, leading business representatives, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Egyptian Junior Businessmen Association and representatives of the Egypt–India Startups Forum.
Egypt Offers Gateway to African and European Markets
Beyond strengthening bilateral trade, India is looking to expand its industrial and investment footprint in Egypt, which holds strategic importance due to its geographical location connecting Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Potential areas of cooperation include manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, textiles, chemicals, infrastructure, food processing, renewable energy, ports and logistics.
The Suez Canal Economic Zone is also expected to offer promising opportunities for Indian companies looking to establish manufacturing facilities and strengthen regional supply chains.
The visit underlines India's continued efforts to deepen its strategic partnership with Egypt through stronger economic engagement and greater private-sector participation.
With a large business delegation and a series of high-level meetings lined up, the two-day visit is expected to give fresh momentum to India–Egypt trade and investment relations.