Joint economic committee to convene in Q1 of 2018

Slovenian Ambassador in Cairo Kristyna Michkova said the first session of the joint Egyptian-Slovenian economic committee under the chairmanship of the two countries foreign ministers will convene in Cairo in the first quarter of 2018.

In statements to MENA on Tuesday, Michkova said the two countries are expected to sign a number of memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements in the field of civil aviation, noting that bilateral relations are cordial and diverse in the various fields.

She termed as "fruitful and constructive" the visit of Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry to Slovenia last week as he conferred with a number of senior Slovenian officials on joint cooperation, challenges of common interests especially terrorism and immigration as well as other regional issues.

The ambassador also noted that her country is looking forward to cooperation with Egypt in digital technology, water management, agriculture, electrical engineering, solar energy, defense and logistics.

The volume of trade exchange between the two countries hit 74.1 million euros in 2016, down by 13.5 percent compared to the figures of 2015. Slovenian exports to Egypt reached 42.2 million euros, while Egyptian exports to Slovenia recorded 31.8 million euros.

Michkova also noted that several Slovenian companies are deeply interested in establishing business in the Egyptian market especially in industry, agriculture and water management, noting that El Sewedy Electric Company is a model to be followed in the Egyptian investments established in Slovenia. 

She also noted that Hurghada is a main tourist destination for Slovenian people, voicing hope over increasing tourism movement between the two sides.