Bringing Egypt to Brussles 🇪🇺

What else: GEM opens this week, non-oil exports see significant growth this year, and much more inside.

October 26, 2025

October 19 – 25 | 2025
Image: Grand Egyptian Museum / Facebook

Hey friends,

Welcome back to another edition of the Egypt Weekly Roundup.

All eyes are on the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is finally set for its ceremonial inauguration on 1 November. To mark the momentous occasion, the government has declared the day a public holiday — though that doesn’t change much, since it conveniently falls on a Saturday.

But as always, this newsletter is about what happened, not what’s about to happen. So, we’re kicking off this week by looking at Egypt’s first-ever joint EU Summit in Brussels.

Now, let’s dive in.

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EUROPEAN UNION | SUMMIT | BRUSSELS
FIRST-EVER EGYPT-EU SUMMIT BRINGS NEW AGREEMENTS, AND STRONGER TIES

Image: Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency / Facebook

Egypt and the European Union held their first-ever bilateral summit in Brussels, focusing on economic cooperation, migration management, and regional stability amid the Gaza conflict. The summit featured plans to finalize a EUR 4 billion loan package to support Egypt and help integrate it into the EU’s Horizon Europe research program.

Cooperation agenda: Leaders signed key agreements worth targeting energy transition, digital infrastructure, trade, and investment — underlining Egypt’s role as a strategic partner for Europe in the Mediterranean region.

Significance & implications: The meeting reinforces Egypt’s position in regional diplomacy and economic reform, with the EU emphasising long-term stability and mutual economic benefits. A second summit is expected to be held in Cairo in 2027.

🌍️ MORE FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

🇵🇸 PALESTINE: President Al-Sisi is asking for public support as Egypt plans a national mechanism to finance Gaza’s post-conflict reconstruction – Know more

🇵🇸 MORE PALESTINE: Egypt has established logistic hubs to channel humanitarian aid into Gaza, aiming to improve delivery efficiency amid the crisis – Know more

🇮🇱 ISRAEL: Egypt’s intelligence chief visited Israel for cease-fire negotiations, underscoring Egypt’s role in the ongoing mediation efforts – Know more

🇵🇰 PAKISTAN: Egyptian and Pakistani military leaders met to strengthen defence cooperation and explore joint training and security initiatives – Know more

SPHINX AIRPORT | TRAVEL | TOURISM
SPHINX AIRPORT GETS AN UPGRADE IN TIME FOR GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM OPENING

Egypt’s Sphinx International Airport, located about 45 km from the Pyramids, has been upgraded to handle 1.2 million passengers annually, marking a major enhancement in the capital’s aviation infrastructure.

A BOOST FOR TOURISM: The upgrade is timed to coincide with the upcoming opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum and signals Egypt’s ambition to boost tourist arrivals, improved international access and diversify transport hubs outside Greater Cairo. 

MODERN FACILITIES: The expansion encompasses a 24,000 square meter terminal with 26 check-in counters, self-service kiosks, multiple gates, a VIP lounge, and full accessibility for persons with disabilities — all designed to meet international standards.

🏠️ MORE SOCIETY:

⚽ ATHLETES: Egypt launches an initiative to curb unauthorized naturalization of athletes, after increased cases of Egyptian athletes migrating to represent other nations, and ensuring compliance with international sports regulations – Know more

🤰 C-SECTION: Egypt’s cesarean delivery rate has surged to 72 percent, driven by economic factors, private clinic practices, and patient preferences – Know more

EXPORTS | TRADE | DATA
EGYPT’S NON-OIL EXPORTS JUMP 21 PERCENT IN 9 MONTHS: TRADE MINISTER

Egypt’s non-oil exports surged 21 percent to USD 36.6 billion during the first nine months of 2025, according to statements from Trade and Industry Minister Ahmed El-Khatib. The growth is attributed to rising global demand for building materials, chemicals, and food products.

Top markets: The United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia remained Egypt’s primary trading partners, while exports to Italy and the United States also recorded strong gains. El-Khatib highlighted that diversified export destinations are key to sustaining this growth.

Policy support: The government’s trade reforms and closer collaboration with the private sector have been credited with bolstering non-oil exports. El-Khatib emphasized that ongoing efforts aim to further enhance competitiveness and secure new international markets.

🏦 MORE ECONOMY:

🌱 CARBON CREDIT: Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority plans to launch the country’s first credit rating agency for carbon certificates to boost transparency and investor confidence – Know more

📈 GDP FORECAST: The IMF raised Egypt’s GDP growth forecast to 4.5 percent for FY2025/26, citing strong performance in tourism and non-oil sectors – Know more

🌐 IMF VISIT: Egypt will soon confirm the date for an IMF mission visit to complete reviews under the Extended Fund Facility and Resilience and Sustainability Facility programs – Know more

📆 2075: Goldman Sachs forecasts Egypt to rank among the world’s top 10 economies by 2075, with GDP expected to hit USD 10.4 trillion, driven by reforms and demographic growth – Know more