Arab Finance: Egypt and Slovenia explored expanding trade and investment, connecting more Egyptian ports with Slovenia’s Port of Koper, and arranging employment opportunities for Egyptian workers during talks between Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar on November 4, as per a statement.

Madbouly highlighted the countries’ longstanding friendship following Slovenia’s independence in 1991, noting that Egypt was the first Arab and African country to recognize it. He called for continued work to develop cooperation mechanisms and partnerships and coordinate positions internationally.

He called for practical steps to increase trade and investment, highlighting Egypt’s potential to provide Slovenian products with access to Arab and African markets. He invited Slovenian businesses to explore incentives in Egypt’s economic zones, particularly the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), which he said had helped attract numerous investment projects in recent years.

He said Egypt continued to improve its business environment, simplify investment procedures and develop the electricity, road, port and airport infrastructure needed to support foreign investment. Its priorities for the coming period include localizing electric vehicle manufacturing and expanding the telecommunications and information technology sectors.

For her part, Musar highlighted Slovenia’s experience in vehicle production and its interest in entering new markets. She said Slovenian companies had held two days of productive discussions with Egyptian counterparts and that she planned to join her accompanying business delegation after the meeting. The delegation comprises 25 companies, including 15 specializing in logistics and infrastructure.

Madbouly also pointed to Egyptian investment already operating in Slovenia’s energy sector, citing the factory of Slovenia-based smart metering company Iskraemeco, a subsidiary of Egypt-based energy solutions group Elsewedy Electric.

On maritime cooperation, he proposed extending links between the Port of Koper and Egyptian ports to include Ain Sokhna and Damietta, alongside broader cooperation in container logistics services, an area of interest to both sides.

He described Koper as an important Adriatic maritime hub serving Central European countries. Existing logistics cooperation with Alexandria Port, he said, supports bilateral economic relations and Slovenia’s plans to reach African markets, while stronger port connections could help increase Egyptian exports to European Union (EU) member states.

Madbouly added that an economic event scheduled in Cairo during Pirc Musar’s visit would bring together Slovenian business leaders and a Port of Koper delegation to strengthen cooperation with the port.

Energy links with Europe were another focus. Madbouly outlined Egypt’s plans to complete an electricity interconnection project with Greece and connect Cypriot gas fields to Egyptian gas infrastructure. He described the projects as strategically important to Egypt’s partnership with the EU, supporting European energy security and closer connections among Mediterranean countries.

The Prime Minister also proposed an agreement covering the employment of Egyptian workers in sectors Slovenia considers priorities. He said Egypt wanted to deepen cooperation on labor and regular migration, drawing on arrangements already established with other European countries.

In scientific research, Madbouly expressed interest in sending high-achieving Egyptian students to Slovenia to benefit from its expertise across scientific disciplines, including through programs at the Jo?ef Stefan Institute.

Musar identified science as a priority for broader cooperation, highlighting opportunities in artificial intelligence, chemistry and biology. She praised students’ engagement during a lecture she delivered at Cairo University earlier that day and pointed to the university’s existing collaboration with the University of Ljubljana.

She also called for stronger tourism cooperation that draws on both countries’ experience, citing the diversity and quality of Egypt’s destinations and growing interest among Slovenian visitors.