Egypt Roundup: Gaza war truce talks, medical tourism, multilateral trade system

Gaza war truce talks

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and US President Joe Biden discussed joint efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the US to ease tensions in Gaza, achieve a ceasefire, conduct a prisoner exchange, and facilitate humanitarian aid entry into the region. El-Sisi emphasised the urgent need for a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza to ensure unimpeded access to aid for Palestinian civilians affected by the humanitarian crisis resulting from Israel's aggressive actions, Ahram Online reports. He cautioned against military escalation and civilian targeting, condemning such acts as clear violations of international law. Biden, on the other hand, appreciated ongoing collaborative efforts for a truce, prioritising stability restoration in the region, and praised Egypt's political initiatives and humanitarian aid provision to Gaza. Egypt has vehemently condemned the inhumane targeting by Israel of a group of unarmed Palestinian civilians awaiting humanitarian aid trucks at the Nabulsi roundabout in northern Gaza. The attack resulted in the tragic loss and injury of hundreds of Palestinians.

Medical tourism

Egypt's Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, announced the initiation of a comprehensive developmental vision to transform distinctive locations into hubs for medical tourism. Speaking at the inauguration of the second international exhibition and conference for Egyptian medical tourism applications in the New Administrative Capital, the Prime Minister highlighted the collaborative efforts between the Egyptian state and the private sector in developing these unique destinations, Ahram Online reports. He emphasised that these locations possess special geographical features that make them ideal for global medical tourism. Madbouly noted that medical tourism serves as a significant source of direct foreign investment. During the conference, Egypt's first medical and health resort, with investments totaling $1.5 billion, was launched in Giza's El-Saff city.

Oil and gas projects

Egypt's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Tarek El Molla, held discussions with Qatar's Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, aimed at enhancing cooperation in the energy sector. They explored opportunities for Qatari companies to engage in oil and gas research and exploration through international auctions in Egypt. Additionally, talks involved the potential participation of Qatari entities in new refining and petrochemical projects, aligning with Egypt's objective of maximizing the value of natural resources, Daily News Egypt has reported. The ministers also exchanged perspectives on energy source security and developments in the liquefied natural gas markets. El Molla engaged with the energy ministers of Russia and Venezuela, along with the Secretary-General of OPEC, during the 7th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. Discussions included enhancing bilateral cooperation, strengthening relations, and supporting priorities proposed by Russia in the energy field within the BRICS group. The Egyptian Petroleum Minister also explored opportunities for Egyptian companies to participate in oil and gas infrastructure projects in Venezuela.

Bird influenza

Governor Jamal Nour El-Din of Kafr El-Sheikh announced on Sunday the successful immunization of 63,930 assorted birds against infectious diseases, including the vaccination of 7,000 birds against avian influenza. This initiative is part of the state's leading efforts to shield birds from viruses and pandemics, ensuring the overall health of citizens, Gomhuria Online reports. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Director of the Veterinary Medicine Directorate in Kafr El-Sheikh, Dr. Mohamed Beshar, highlighted the importance of vaccination in reducing virus spread, ensuring food safety, and preventing diseases from reaching poultry products. He also mentioned the ongoing disinfection operations in markets and poultry-selling establishments. He added that the continuous commitment to immunisation and disease prevention reflects the proactive approach of authorities in Kafr El-Sheikh in promoting a sustainable and disease-free environment.

Multilateral trade system

Egypt's Minister of Trade and Industry, Ahmed Samir, recently engaged in discussions with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in a bid to bolster the multilateral trade system's resilience amidst global challenges. Samir reiterated Egypt's steadfast support for the multilateral trade framework and its readiness to collaborate with all WTO member states to reinforce confidence in the organisation's pivotal role in tackling unprecedented global challenges, DailyNews Egypt reports. He emphasised the need to enhance food security, particularly in least-developed and net-food-importing developing countries. Minister Samir emphasised the importance of empowering these nations with adequate resources and strategies to bolster domestic production of essential goods. During his visit to Abu Dhabi, Minister Samir participated in a session on fisheries subsidies, conducted alongside the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference from February 26 to 29, 2024. The session aimed to reach an agreement on eliminating subsidies that exacerbate overfishing and excess fishing capacity. This initiative aligns with previous agreements aimed at combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, further demonstrating Egypt's commitment to sustainable global trade practices.