In activation of MoU signed between the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation and the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)...17 Egyptian Government Officials Visit Beijing to Exchange Expertise in Economic Development

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat: Activating the MoU reflects the depth of the strategic relations between Egypt and China and the commitment to expert exchange and maximizing benefit from the Chinese development experience.

In a new step reflecting the depth of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the People's Republic of China, an Egyptian delegation comprising 17 government officials participated in a workshop held in the capital, Beijing, on “Exchanging Expertise between Egypt and China in the field of Economic Development.” The workshop included officials from the Ministries of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, Transport, Industry, Investment and Foreign Trade, and the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), with the aim of exchanging expertise in economic development and benefiting from the Chinese experience.

The workshop comes within the framework of activating the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), which was signed during H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat's visit to China in July 2024. The MoU stipulates strengthening economic cooperation between Egypt and China through peer learning and exchanging best experiences and practices aimed at enabling both parties to learn from each other in economic development, with a focus on policies related to macroeconomics, industrial development, technological innovation, and sustainable development.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, reaffirmed that the activation of the previously signed MoU with the Chinese side reflects the depth of the Comprehensive Strategic Relations between the two countries and the commitment to translate signed agreements into tangible action on the ground to benefit from the Chinese development experience, particularly in the field of planning and economic development. This will reflect positively on the Egyptian state’s efforts to achieve comprehensive development and benefit from best international practices.

Dr. Al-Mashat noted the Egyptian government's commitment to maximizing the benefit from Egyptian-Chinese economic relations and building on what has been achieved in the past period to exploit future opportunities, especially within the framework of the "Belt and Road" Initiative. This also involves working to increase Chinese investments and boost trade exchange rates, in light of the Egyptian state's endeavor to increase productivity and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), reflecting Egypt’s economic and structural reform efforts.

The workshop activities covered a range of important topics, most notably highlighting the lessons learned from China's opening up since adopting the reform and opening-up policy, as well as presenting the history and methodology of national development planning in China, particularly the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026 – 2030) and its role in achieving integrated development.

The topics also included discussions on building green and low-carbon policy systems, analyzing the macro-economy and the Chinese renaissance, reviewing China's experience in poverty eradication, developing new industrial infrastructure, in addition to the digital economy as a driving force for developing new high-quality productive forces. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of cooperation in the field of renewable energy to counter the effects of climate change.

To gain practical insight into China's development experience, the workshop included a number of field visits, most notably a visit to the Xiong'an New Area as a model for sustainable urban planning, the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone (Lingang New Area), and Wusi Village in Fengxian District as a model for integrated and sustainable rural development.

 

These visits provided the participants with an opportunity to observe China's leading development models up close and learn about the mechanisms for formulating and implementing development plans. This contributes to supporting the prospects for future economic cooperation between Egypt and China, in light of Egypt's Vision 2030 and the Belt and Road Initiative.

The participation of the Egyptian delegation in this workshop embodies the practical fruit of the continuous efforts made by the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the sisterly People's Republic of China, thereby contributing to advancing economic development pathways and supporting the human development axis and capacity building for government cadres in Egypt.