Egypt and Spain Advance Economic Dialogue, Plan Joint Business Forum for 2026

High-Level Meetings in Madrid Strengthen Bilateral Ties

Abdel Aziz El-Sherif, First Undersecretary and Head of the Egyptian Commercial Service, recently held a series of meetings in Madrid, Spain, on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The objective of these discussions was to reinforce economic, trade, and investment relations between Egypt and Spain. These engagements took place during El-Sherif's visit to attend the 7th Trade and Investment Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).

During his visit, El-Sherif met with key Spanish officials, including Juan Luis Jimeno, Head of International Trade and Economic Affairs and Egypt cooperation desk, and Javier Álvarez, Deputy Assistant Minister for Africa and the Middle East, both from Spain's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business. Members of the Egyptian Commercial Office in Madrid also participated in the talks.

Focus on Enhanced Cooperation and Future Initiatives

The discussions centered on recent developments in bilateral relations and explored avenues to enhance cooperation across various trade and investment sectors, aligning with the existing strategic partnership framework. A significant outcome of these meetings was the agreement to organize a comprehensive event combining the economic dialogue with a business forum during the first half of 2026. This event aims to convene the first session of the Economic Dialogue, established under a Memorandum of Understanding signed during a previous presidential visit, alongside the inaugural meeting of the reconstituted Egyptian–Spanish Business Council.

El-Sherif underscored Spain's importance as one of Egypt's primary trading partners within the European Union, noting the renewed momentum in relations following recent high-level exchanges. These include the Spanish King's visit to Egypt in September 2025 and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's visit to Spain in February 2025.

Trade and Investment Landscape

Recent trade figures highlight the robust economic relationship between the two nations. Egyptian exports to Spain reached approximately €1.68 billion in 2024, with non-oil exports accounting for €1.47 billion. Egypt recorded a trade surplus of around €225 million with Spain during the same period. Key Egyptian exports to the Spanish market include

• iron and steel
• mineral fuels and oils
• fertilisers
• plastics
• various fruits and vegetables

Despite the positive trade performance, El-Sherif emphasized the need to elevate investment relations, noting that Spanish investments in Egypt currently stand at approximately €1 billion, which is considered below their full potential. He extended an invitation to Spanish companies to expand their presence and initiate new projects in Egypt, citing attractive opportunities, competitive incentives, and Egypt's strategic role as a regional production and export hub.

Engagement with Spanish Business Leaders

The visit concluded with a meeting between El-Sherif and Marta Blanco, President of CEOE International, the international arm of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations. Their discussions focused on Spanish participation in the planned economic dialogue and business forum. Blanco expressed strong interest among Spanish companies in expanding their operations in Egypt, reaffirming Egypt's significance as a strategic economic and trade partner for Spain.