Union Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal will undertake an official visit to Egypt from November 15-16, 2026, to strengthen bilateral economic ties. The visit includes co-chairing the 7th India-Egypt Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting with Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh in Cairo, which has been elevated to the ministerial level reflecting the strategic importance both countries place on economic cooperation.
Bilateral merchandise trade showed significant growth, reaching USD 5.04 billion during April-September 2026, representing a 64% increase over the corresponding period of the previous year. For FY 2025-26, India's exports to Egypt amounted to USD 3.87 billion while imports from Egypt stood at USD 2.60 billion. India's major exports include meat and poultry products, petroleum products, organic chemicals, cotton, and machinery, while major imports from Egypt comprise crude petroleum, fertilisers, cotton, and mineral products.
The JTC meeting will review progress in bilateral trade and investment relations and discuss measures to diversify and expand the trade basket. Key discussion areas include 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. The parties will also explore cooperation opportunities in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, industrial development, manufacturing, infrastructure, ports and logistics, and regional value chains.
A high-level Indian business delegation comprising over 140 CEOs and senior industry representatives from diverse sectors will participate in the India-Egypt Joint Business Council Meeting and India-Egypt Business Forum. These platforms will facilitate direct engagement between business leaders to explore opportunities for enhancing bilateral trade and investment, fostering joint ventures, promoting technology partnerships, and strengthening industrial collaboration. Minister Goyal will also hold bilateral meetings with senior Egyptian ministers and interact with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Egyptian Junior Businessmen Association, and the Egypt-India Startups Forum.
The visit reflects India's commitment to strengthening economic engagement with Egypt as a strategic gateway to markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, with significant opportunities in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, textiles, chemicals, engineering goods, food processing, renewable energy, logistics, and emerging technologies.