Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi addressed the opening of the 12th World Urban Forum (WUF12) on Monday, calling for a global effort to address the challenges facing cities and settlements worldwide. “This edition of the Forum comes at a crucial time as the world faces consecutive international crises and wars with devastating repercussions on cities, communities, and all aspects of life,” Al-Sisi said. He emphasized the importance of achieving peace and focusing efforts on development, reconstruction, and rebuilding in order to address urban challenges. “It is impossible to take any serious steps to address urban challenges in societies suffering from wars, fighting, displacement, famine, and disease,” he said. Al-Sisi expressed his hope that the World Urban Forum would be a significant step towards implementing the “New Urban Agenda,” strengthening international partnerships, and finding innovative solutions to address urban development challenges and achieve sustainable development goals.

Tatra Development has announced its entry into the Egyptian market by launching over 15 residential projects in various locations within New Cairo. He highlighted that the real estate sector in Egypt has a solid investment foundation, creating new opportunities for the company’s success. Founded 20 years ago in Kuwait, Tatra Development has established itself as a leader in the Kuwaiti real estate sector, with a property portfolio valued at approximately KWD 35m. Although Tatra officially launched its operations in Egypt in July, it has already begun construction on seven residential projects simultaneously and has achieved 50% of its sales targets. The extensive urban development in Egypt, including the establishment of over 37 new cities, underscores significant growth in this sector.

CAIRO – 22 October 2024: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi expressed Egypt's appreciation for Russia's support during Egypt's accession to BRICS and acknowledged the efforts Russia made throughout its presidency of the BRICS Summit. El-Sisi also conveyed his happiness with Egypt’s first-time participation in the BRICS Summit. During a bilateral discussion with Russian President Putin, President El-Sisi praised the growing strength of Egypt-Russia relations. In response, President El-Sisi expressed Egypt's commitment to participating in the activities organized under Russia's presidency of the BRICS Summit this year. President El-Sisi arrived in the Russian Federation earlier to attend the BRICS Summit, held in Kazan.

KAZAN — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has said he sees the BRICS group as a breakthrough in advancing the interests of all its members, particularly in trade. Al-Sisi made the remarks during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. “We see also the breakthrough that BRICS achieves in the interests of all its members regardless of any pressures, particularly in trade relations. Al-Sisi also expressed Egypt’s appreciation for Russia’s support for its accession to BRICS. “We pay special attention to expanding friendly ties with Egypt, Russia’s long-standing and reliable partner,” the Russian president emphasised.

Cairo – October 22, 2024: The Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade is working diligently to implement transparent policies and clear standards aimed at regulating the automotive industry in Egypt, with Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan El-Khatib, adding that ongoing financial and procedural reforms are underway to provide further facilitation for local investors to localize the industry and to enhance the country’s foreign trade activities. The investment minister held an extensive meeting with representatives of global car manufacturers, agents, and distributors to bolster Egypt's automotive industry on Tuesday. During the meeting, Minister El-Khatib emphasized the government's deep commitment to the automotive sector, recognizing its key role in attracting foreign investments and promoting industrial growth. Among the ministry’s immediate priorities is reducing customs clearance times and alleviating tax and financial burdens on investors. Representatives from the automotive sector shared their suggestions on overcoming the challenges facing the industry and advancing its development during Tuesday’s meeting.

In a pivotal moment for the BRICS economic alliance, the “BRICS Pay” system was officially unveiled during the BRICS Business Forum held in Moscow a few days ago, as part of the ongoing BRICS summit for 2024. In a symbolic gesture of the group’s commitment to launching the system, BRICS payment cards were distributed to participants at the forum. This mechanism is poised to disrupt the Western “SWIFT” system’s monopoly on global financial transactions. The BRICS nations are earnestly working towards reshaping the global economic system by developing their financial frameworks. Additionally, initiating this mechanism could provoke pressures from Western sanctions, as the system may pose a threat to the current international financial system dominated by the West.

CAIRO – 22 October 2024: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi headed Tuesday to the Russian Federation to attend the BRICS summit held in the city of Kazan. The summit marks Egypt's first participation as a member of the group, since its official accession at the beginning of this year. Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Ahmed Fahmy, stated that during the summit, President El-Sisi will present Egypt's vision and positions on a multitude of significant international and regional issues. The President will also address climate change-related issues and avenues for strengthening economic and developmental cooperation among BRICS member countries. President El-Sisi will participate in the BRICS Plus summit, which includes BRICS member states as well as influential and friendly international countries and organizations.

Kazan – Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi landed in Kazan on Tuesday for the 16th BRICS Summit. Al-Sisi is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimiri Putin. The three-day BRICS summit, starting Tuesday in the southwestern Russian city of Kazan, is the first meeting of the group of major emerging economies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa since it expanded earlier this year to include Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, and Iran. Earlier, the Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told RT Arabic in Cairo that BRICS “opens up new opportunities for cooperation, partnership, investment and trade” ahead of his trip to Russia. “We are against the policy of polarisation… This is not a political bloc, but an economic union to promote our interests and our economic agenda.

KAZAN— Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on Tuesday in Kazan, Russia, during the BRICS summit, emphasising the need for important decisions to expand and strengthen cooperation within the bloc. “In Kazan, we must take a number of important decisions aimed at further improving the activities of the association and strengthening multifaceted cooperation within its framework,” Putin said. Putin also highlighted Russia’s appreciation for cooperation with India within the BRICS framework. “We highly value our cooperation in this area, bearing in mind that our states stood at the origins of the creation of the association,” Putin added. Modi also touched on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, stating India’s commitment to a peaceful resolution.

The upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, from 22 to 24 October, will host a wider group of nations, with representatives from 36 countries and six international organisations participating. Ushakov outlined the summit’s schedule, highlighting that a meeting of delegations from the BRICS countries will be held on October 22, beginning with an informal lunch at Kazan City Hall. President Putin will also hold a press conference after the conclusion of the summit. The United Arab Emirates’ President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will attend the summit on October 23 after talks with President Putin in Moscow. Finally, Ushakov stated that President Putin may meet with Milorad Dodik, head of the Republika Srpska canton of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Kazan.

The alliance's initiatives have provided the medical tools and needs that help people with disabilities live their normal lives as much as possible. The latest of these initiatives was "The Best Friend", which aims to integrate people with disabilities into society, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Life Makers Egypt Foundation. The initiative works to achieve clear goals to help people with disabilities and their families integrate into society. A total of 800 volunteers from Life Makers Egypt volunteers participated in the launching ceremony. The initiative aims to enhance the role of youth in integrating people with disabilities into society, and achieving equality for all.

Yomna El-Bahar, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, emphasized the profound historical connections between Egypt and India, highlighting their ancient and rich civilizations. This statement was made during the India Tourism Promotion Event organized by the Indian Embassy in Cairo on October 17. She noted that Egypt and India possess significant tourism potential, characterized by diversity and historical richness. C. Sushma, Chargé d’affaires of the Indian Embassy in Cairo, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the millennia-old ties between India and Egypt. The focus was also on medical value tourism, wellness tourism, and eco-tourism.

Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, launched the second Global Conference on Population, Health, and Human Development (PHDC24) on Sunday, under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. The conference, themed “Human Development for a Sustainable Future,” is a key component of Egypt’s comprehensive strategy for human development and population improvement, aligning with the “Egypt 2030” vision and the outcomes of the National Dialogue. Abdel Ghaffar emphasised the importance of the PHDC24 and President Al-Sisi’s initiative, “A New Beginning for Building the Human Being,” as central pillars of Egypt’s human development strategy. The launch of the presidential human development initiative, “A New Beginning for Building the Human Being,” on 17 September demonstrates the country’s unwavering commitment to this area. The conference is a platform for Egypt to showcase its commitment to human development and population improvement while fostering international collaboration to address global challenges.

The meeting reviewed the progress of Fayoum Governorate’s four industrial zones, totalling 11,700 feddans, including the North Fayoum and New Fayoum zones, along with two industrial complexes for small and medium industries. The Minister directed the addition of loading ramps or dry ports at high-speed rail stations near industrial zones to facilitate goods transport. He also emphasized that industrial land allocation will be done via the Egypt Digital Industrial Platform, with land reclaimed from non-serious investors to be reoffered in December 2024. He noted that these measures will create opportunities for serious investors and ensure the proper functioning of industrial zones, preventing them from becoming informal areas over time. He added that undeveloped or inactive land and factories will be reclaimed and reoffered to serious investors via the Egypt Digital Industrial Platform to promote job creation.

Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has stressed the importance of the Export Reimbursement Programme in driving Egypt’s economic growth, highlighting plans to offer unprecedented incentives for localising industries and streamlining payment procedures for exporters. This move aims to localize these industries and ultimately reduce Egypt’s reliance on imports. The meeting reviewed the progress of the Export Reimbursement Program from 1 July 2023, to 29 February 2024. The meeting also reviewed the progress of automating the Export Reimbursement Programme. The first phase of automation, launched on 15 August 2024, includes registering exporting companies and electronically submitting support disbursement requests.