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Egypt and Sri Lanka look to deepen economic ties at Colombo Roundtable

Marking seven decades of diplomatic relations next year, officials, private sector leaders, and investment authorities from Egypt and Sri Lanka gathered in Colombo for a high-level roundtable discussion on bilateral investment.

The event, hosted on October 14, 2026, was organized to explore new avenues for economic cooperation and partnership between the two nations. The Egyptian delegation was led by Walid Anwar, Deputy CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI)alongside Reem Elkady, Country Manager for the Asia Region at GAFI.

Discussions highlighted Egypt’s emergence as a major regional economic hub, supported by a domestic market of over 110 million consumers. Egypt’s strategic location bridges Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Over the past decade, the country has heavily invested in its physical foundation, including modern ports, airports, extensive transportation networks, and green energy projects. Reflecting these regulatory reforms, digitalization efforts, and targeted incentives like the Golden Licence, Egypt has solidified its position as Africa’s leading recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI).

FDI inflows reached US$15 billion in 2025, accounting for 22% of total FDI inflows to the continent. Both sides emphasized the potential for mutual growth, noting that Sri Lankan investors can access valuable opportunities in Egypt, while Egyptian companies can leverage ties to expand further into the South Asian market.

Key milestones proposed to maintain momentum include: Supporting the establishment of an Egypt-Sri Lanka Business Council to foster regular private sector communication, the upcoming third session of the Joint Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation, Broad participation by Egyptian business representatives in Sri Lanka Expo 2027, scheduled for January 2027 and strengthening cooperation between maritime authorities and the Colombo Port Authority.

The roundtable concluded with a shared commitment to translating dialogue into concrete partnerships and long-term projects that generate mutual economic value for both countries