In conjunction with President Tony Tan’s state visit to Egypt, The Singapore Business Foundation (SBF) and International Enterprise (IE) Singapore organised a Business Mission to Egypt from 30^th October to 4^th November 2016. The delegation comprised 23 representatives from 16 companies and government organisations from diverse sectors such as urban planning and consultancy, engineering, agri-commodities, heavy machinery, port management, maritime, education and general trading.  Meinhardt Group Executive Chairman, Dr Shahzad Nasim, was appointed as the Deputy Mission Leader for this important visit.

The delegation met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail and other government officials and representatives of prominent businesses from companies such as ECG Engineering Consultants Group, Talaat Moustafa Group and Orascom Group to explore partnership ventures.

Egypt has a GDP of over US$330.8 billion and is ranked second among Singapore’s trading partners in Africa.  Dr Nasim highlighted the tremendous growth opportunities in Egypt driven by its large market size with a population of more than 92 million, booming real estate and infrastructure requirements. One of Government initiatives includes the 46,000 Ha Suez Canal Development Project – an economic zone beside the Suez Canal, a major artery of global trade. Educated work force at a lower cost make it an ideal place for setting up both facilities and as a business hub for Africa.

Currently operated by 25 technical staff, the company plans to expand it to 100 staff very quickly. Cairo office will support group’s expansion in Africa and act as a resource centre for its projects in the Middle East. Meinhardt currently has 11 offices in Middle East & Africa.

Given Meinhardt’s impressive international positioning in the Engineering & Infrastructure industry, it is slated to seize the upcoming opportunities in the country, further solidifying Singapore’s bilateral relationship and long standing ties with Egypt.