Egypt pushes for more UK investment at Association Council meeting

CAIRO – 18 June 2026: Egypt is seeking to attract more British investment in key sectors including renewable energy, infrastructure, financial services and banking as it looks to deepen economic ties with the United Kingdom.

Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty highlighted promising investment opportunities in these key areas as he and British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper co-chaired the third session of the UK-Egypt Association Council on Thursday.

The session was attended by representatives from Egypt's investment, trade, finance and planning ministries, according to a statement by the foreign ministry.

The council serves as the mechanism responsible for overseeing the implementation of the association agreement signed by the two countries in December 2020.

During the meeting, Abdelatty stressed Egypt's keenness on increasing bilateral trade and British direct investment and boosting the economic, commercial and investment relations between the two countries.

He reviewed measures implemented by the Egyptian government in recent years to advance national economy, improve the business environment and enhance the role of the private sector.

The foreign minister underscored the importance of investment as a key component in the bilateral economic relations and called for greater engagement by the private sector in both countries through existing cooperation mechanisms in Cairo and London.

He also reaffirmed Egypt's interest in expanding cooperation with the United Kingdom in green growth, education, migration and defense.

Egypt and the UK already maintain substantial economic ties.

UK government figures show that bilateral trade in goods and services totaled £5.1 billion in 2025, comprising £2.9 billion in British exports to Egypt and £2.2 billion in imports.

Meanwhile, Britain's outward foreign direct investment stock in Egypt stood at £3.6 billion at the end of 2024, according to the figures, with hundreds of British companies operating in the country.

The foreign ministers also discussed efforts to advance the next phase of the Gaza peace plan, regional security issues and recent diplomatic developments involving Iran. Read more.