Egypt, India to strengthen trade relations

Egypt enjoys a leadership role in the Mid-East and has been prominently engaged in Israel-Palestine peace talks. With its economy growing at 7.5 per cent after liberlisation and economic and political reforms,it is a key country in the Arab world.Bilateral relations between India and Egypt have always been most cordial. In an exclusive interview with Arti Bali, HE Khaled El Bakly Ambassador of Egypt to India speaks on various issues.




Excerpts of the interview :



Q: How you are going to boost trade relations between India and Egpyt?


Ans ; The bilateral trade between India and Egypt is on the upswing.Both the countries are focusing on enhancing the bilateral trade to reach a turnover of US $ 5 billion by 2010.The Egyptian exports mainly cover pertrochemicals , oil and gas to which India is already making huge investments.Egypt is desirous of having partnerships in the field of IT with India. We invite the Indian private companies to invest in our country. Around 25 ministerial level meetings took p-lace over the past three years. This was coupled with an important increase in the economic trade and investment figures between our two countries..We also observed an important increase in cultural exchanges.


Q : What is the level of cooperation between the two countries on global issues?


Ans: India and Egypt have enjoyed exceptionally close relations since Nehru-Nasser era and were founding members of Non-Aligned Movement.Egypt and India are now supportive of each other in various global forums like climate change, Doha talks, UNSC reforms and there is a great convergence of interests.


Q Egypt is undertaking a comprehensive economic reform and stabilizing programme. Tell us about the implications and parameters ?


Ans Many of the Arab countries have been going through economic and political reforms for many years ,.Egypt has been focusing on stabilizing the economy improving public finance and exchange rate policies and stabilizing inflation.These reforms have been achieved through policy changes,educational and other measures aiming at the improvement of economic and social welfare.

Q What is your opinion about the Israel-Palestine peace talks?

Ans : The success of these peace talks will depends on firm commitments from both sides to uphold the credibility of the process.Israel’s relentless settlement expansion, which has seriously eroded the prospects for a two state solution must cease, together with its closure of Gaza. For their part, the Palestinians must continue to develop their institutional capacity while overcoming their division to achieve their aspirations for statehood..Even Egypt’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit has said that if Israel does not respect the settlements freeze the Arab League will study some other option aside from the peace process such as going to the United Nations and ask for the recognition of the Palestinian state.

Q How you are going to promote tourism between the two countries?

Ans Egypt is set to welcome Indians to their homeland ,cradle of civilization that represents one of the world’s longest recorded histories visible in its Pharaonic, Greco-Roman, Christian, Islamic and modern monuments. Tourism figures prominently among the priorities of the Egyptian government the sector is not only the second most important source of foreign currency but is also a major job generating industry.