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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Wednesday as the two nations committed to strengthening economic and trade cooperation despite recent political tensions.
The closed-door meeting at the ruling party's headquarters included Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and presidential advisor Akif Çagatay Kilic, according to officials.
The diplomatic engagement came alongside a roundtable discussion on economic cooperation led by Rifat Hisarciklioglu, president of Türkiye's Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges.
Abdelatty opened the business forum by expressing condolences for victims of a C-130 military cargo plane crash near the Georgia-Azerbaijan border, before praising Hisarciklioglu's role in maintaining economic ties between the countries.
"He has managed to keep these relations alive even during the most difficult times, when political challenges existed between our countries," Abdelatty said. "For that, we extend our sincere thanks and respect to him."
Both sides are working to increase bilateral trade to $15 billion, up from $8.8 billion in 2024. While trade grew from the previous year, Abdelatty acknowledged it remains below desired levels.
The target was discussed during Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's visit to Ankara last year in talks with Erdogan. Abdelatty described the goal as achievable given the countries' economic potential.
"You need us, and we need you," Abdelatty told Turkish business leaders. "We are your gateway to Africa. Egypt has a large domestic market as well as free trade agreements with Arab countries and across the African continent."
The Egyptian minister emphasized that trade and economic cooperation have helped bring the two nations closer, noting the Egyptian government's commitment to facilitating Turkish investment.
The minister identified construction, infrastructure, digitalization, food security and artificial intelligence as sectors with significant cooperation opportunities. Egypt aims to attract more than 18 million tourists this year, with tourism and health sectors gaining prominence.
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Turkish companies have invested approximately $3 billion in Egypt, with 200 firms operating in the country, including 40 large-scale enterprises, according to Hisarciklioglu.
These companies employ around 100,000 Egyptian citizens and have become leading textile exporters from Egypt, contributing to both employment and the local economy.
"Even during difficult periods in our relations, as representatives of the business world, we have always kept politics and economics separate," Hisarciklioglu said.
Egypt is Türkiye's largest trading partner in Africa. Hisarciklioglu called the $15 billion trade target "realistic and achievable" and highlighted opportunities in Egypt's expanding infrastructure projects, particularly railways.
He noted that 45 of the world's 250 largest international contractors are Turkish firms and expressed interest in joint ventures in Africa, the Middle East and other regions.
Hisarcıklıoğlu proposed restoring maritime transport routes between the countries that operated from 2012 to 2015, connecting Mersin-Alexandria and Iskenderun-Damietta.
"I believe that renewing this agreement would benefit both Türkiye and Egypt," he said, suggesting the roll-on/roll-off shipping routes would facilitate bilateral trade and joint operations in third countries.
The Egyptian foreign minister assured Turkish businesses of full support from Cairo.
"The Egyptian government is keen to provide you with every possible facilitation," Abdelatty said. "Without a doubt, we will offer you all available facilities."
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