PM: Sisi issued directives to work on boosting automobile industry in Egypt

BERLIN, June 26 (MENA) - Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli asserted that President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has issued directives for the government to prioritize the file of boosting the automobile industry in Egypt.

In statements following his meeting with Head of
the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) Bernhard Mattes, Madbouli said the government's previous efforts to address this file did not bear any fruit, adding that the government is currently working on outlining a clear and effective strategy including a package of incentives for pushing ahead the industry of conventional and electric vehicles.

Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker, Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr, Minister of Transport Kamel el Wazir, Egyptian Ambassador in Berlin Badr Abdel Atti and a number of senior officials in the ministry of trade and industry attended the meeting.

Madbouli asserted that Egypt has competitive potentials in the automobile industry especially the skilled manpower.

He pointed out to an agreement signed with Mercedes company on Monday as well as current talks held by the Egyptian government with BMW Group along with other international automobile companies which are willing to expand their businesses in Egypt with the aim of turning it into a center for exporting vehicles to other markets within the coming few years.

Meanwhile, the German official praised the government's eagerness to shore up this important industry, asserting that VDA has been assessing ways to bolster cooperation with Egypt.

He also promised to organize a visit to Egypt of a German delegation that includes various German automobile companies to probe cooperation with the Egyptian side in this field.

Madbouli, for his part, welcomed VDA chief's decision to make such a move, noting that coordination will be made between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the German Embassy in Berlin to ensure the success of the visit.