Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Meets Tunisian Minister of Trade and Export Development to Strengthen Bilateral Ties as Part of the Egyptian-Tunisian Joint Higher Committee Meetings in Cairo

Al-Mashat:“The Egyptian-Tunisian Joint Committee is a framework for consolidating economic, commercial, and investment cooperation between the two countries.”

“We look forward to effective outcomes from the 18th session of the Joint Committee at all levels and to expanding cooperation between the private sectors of both countries.”

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, met with H.E. Mr. Samir Obeid, Minister of Trade and Export Development of the Republic of Tunisia, to explore avenues for joint cooperation during the 18th session of the Egyptian-Tunisian Joint Higher Committee, held in Cairo from September 8–11, 2025.

During the meeting, Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted the historic depth of Egyptian-Tunisian relations, shaped by the shared aspirations of their peoples and the commitment of their political leaderships. She expressed optimism that the committee’s work would deliver tangible progress in advancing bilateral cooperation across multiple fields.

Dr. Al-Mashat emphasized that the Egyptian-Tunisian Joint Higher Committee serves as a cornerstone of collaboration between the two countries. Having convened 17 previous sessions, it stands as one of the oldest Arab joint committees and has led to the creation of several technical committees covering infrastructure, logistics, land and rail transport, youth, trade, and industry.

She noted that Egyptian exports to Tunisia reached approximately $434.5 million in 2024, marking a 15.4% increase compared to 2023. Egypt aims to further boost trade exchange, building on several economic agreements signed between the two countries, including the Greater Arab Free Trade Area Agreement, the Agadir Agreement, and the Free Trade Agreement. Dr. Al-Mashat also stressed the importance of maximizing the benefits of both countries’ membership in COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Minister underscored the critical role of the Egyptian and Tunisian private sectors in capitalizing on the opportunities available in both countries, with a view to expanding into African, Arab, and European markets. Strengthening the presence of Egyptian and Tunisian products and businesses in these markets, she added, will further deepen bilateral ties and unlock new growth opportunities.

Dr. Al-Mashat also presented the main features of “Egypt’s Narrative for Economic Development: Reforms for Growth, Jobs & Resilience”, launched by the government earlier this week. The initiative focuses on transitioning toward more productive sectors with better access to export markets (tradables), leveraging the country’s advanced infrastructure, and redefining the state’s role in the economy. These steps are designed to enhance Egypt’s competitiveness and encourage greater private sector participation, continuing the momentum of economic reform.

The Minister further referred to the outcomes of the preparatory meetings of the Joint Higher Committee at the expert level. These meetings addressed frameworks for collaboration across fields of mutual interest, including efforts to boost trade exchange and enhance cooperation in sustainable development planning, policy-making, and capacity building.

Dr. Al-Mashat also reviewed the key achievements since the previous session of the committee, highlighting progress in trade promotion, finance and banking, social security and insurance, and the environment. She also referenced new understandings reached during the committee’s work in the fields of investment, trade, industry, electricity, oil and mining, health, agriculture, and higher education.

The expert-level meetings for the 18th session were held on September 9–10, led by the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation on the Egyptian side, and the Ministry of Trade and Export Development on the Tunisian side, with participation from 28 Egyptian national entities and their Tunisian counterparts.

It is worth noting that the joint committee mechanism is one of Egypt’s key tools for deepening economic, commercial, and investment relations, as well as cultural, scientific, and technical cooperation with partner countries. The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation currently oversees approximately 55 joint committees between Egypt and countries across various continents.

In 2024, the Ministry organized several important bilateral committees, including the Egyptian-Romanian Joint Committee, the Egyptian-Jordanian Committee, the Egyptian-Tajikistani Joint Ministerial Committee, and the first session of the Egyptian-Polish Joint Committee and the Egyptian-Uzbek Joint Committee. More recently, in 2025, the Ministry convened the first session of the Egyptian-Swiss Joint Committee.