Egypt’s Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea has arrived in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, at the helm of the largest Egyptian trade mission to Central and West Africa.
Gamea was received at the Presidential Palace in Dakar by Senegal’s President Macky Sall.
Also participating in the Egyptian delegation are representatives from major Egyptian companies.
During her trip to Senegal, the minister will deliver a message from Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to Sall, affirming Egypt’s keenness to develop joint cooperation with Senegal.
This comes with the aim of achieving the well-being and prosperity of peoples of two countries.
The message also confirmed the depth of the historical and strategic relations between the two countries, and Egypt’s keenness to develop various frameworks of joint cooperation, especially in the economic, commercial, and industrial aspects.
The Senegalese president announced his country’s support for the rights of the Egyptian people regarding Nile River waters. He also affirmed his quest to find a radical solution to the crisis when he takes up Senegal’s tenure as President of the African Union (AU) next February
Gamea indicated that Egypt is looking forward to seeing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, which came into effect in January this year, come into force.
This will contribute to improving the trade exchange between Egypt and African countries in general, and Senegal in particular, in a manner that achieves comprehensive and sustainable development.
Gamea added that Al-Sisi’s message praised the current level of coordination and continuous communication between Egypt and Senegal regarding regional and international issues of common interest.
The Egyptian President also expressed his aspiration for the two countries to work together, to strengthen these relations in various fields with the aim of achieving the well-being and prosperity of their peoples.
For his part, Sall expressed his appreciation of the distinguished relations between Senegal and Egypt, and the friendly relations between the leaderships of the two countries.
The Senegalese President also noted his aspiration to strengthen joint action to increase bilateral relations to broader during the next stage, especially in the economic field, which supports Senegal’s plan for economic development.
He said that Al-Sisi’s visit to Dakar in 2019 reflected the consensus of visions between the two countries on various issues.
It also highlighted the common desire to move forward towards strengthening joint relations in various fields and at all levels.
Sall also praised the pivotal role that Egypt played under the leadership of President Al-Sisi during the country’s presidency of the AU.
He focused on Egyptian efforts to defend African issues on the international level, and its seeking to achieve development for the continent.
He highlighted Senegal’s full support for the rights of the Egyptian people in the waters of the River Nile, and Senegal’s endeavour to stress this matter at all AU and United Nations (UN) forums.
Sall pointed out that his country will chair the next AU session in February, and will work towards finding a radical solution to the River Nile waters crisis as a top priority. This aims to preserve the historical rights of the Egyptian people, because this is the correct approach that all parties must abide by.
The Senegalese president expressed his country’s aspiration to strengthen the economic partnership with Egypt, and benefit from the country’s great experience in many areas of economic development as well as health care. This is particularly in treating Hepatitis C patients, as Egypt has pioneering experience in this field.
Sall pointed out the importance of strengthening trade exchange relations and joint investments between the private sectors of the two countries.
He also expressed his country’s readiness to coordinate with the Egyptian side to facilitate direct sea and air navigation lines between Senegal and Egypt. This is in addition to work on cancelling entry visas to facilitate the entry of investors to the two countries.
The meeting was attended by Aminata Asoum Diatta, Senegal’s Minister of Trade and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and Noha Khader, Egypt’s Ambassador to Senegal.
