Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

Caesar Hijazin, head of the Arab-Belgian Chamber of Commerce, said in statements to “Europe and the Arabs” in Brussels that trade exchanges between Arab countries and Belgium increased in 2021 more than in 2019, i.e. before the Corona period, a period that witnessed a 10 percent decline in Trade exchanges between the two sides, while trade exchanges returned to the rise last year, recording an increase of 20 percent, and the figures for the first half of this year indicate an increase in trade exchanges between Arab countries and Belgium, adding that during the Corona period, trade exchanges between Belgium and the world declined by 15 percent. While it decreased between Belgium and the Arab countries by only 5 percent, and this indicates that the Arab countries still have greater potential than other countries. The figures indicated an increase in trade exchanges continuously after it had previously recorded 22 billion euros.

For example, the trade exchanges between Belgium and Egypt were. Egyptian exports last year amounted to 400 million euros, while in the first half of this year they reached nearly half a billion euros, and this indicates that the Belgian economy is open, as well as the Egyptian economy, and that the potential is very huge in Egypt in several sectors, including modern technologies, the industrial sector, transportation, tourism, and alternative energy

In his statements after the conclusion of the forum, which was hosted by the Chamber and brought together businessmen from Belgium and Egypt, Hijazin noted the recent visit of the Belgian economic mission to Egypt and the meetings that took place with a number of ministers and visits to the Suez Canal Authority and meetings with businessmen in Cairo and Alexandria, especially There are potentials available in Egypt, not only because of the geographical location, but I mean the qualified manpower and economic growth in Egypt, which is the third country in the Middle East region to attract foreign investments because the investment structure in Egypt has become more capable of attracting foreign investments.

Regarding the European interest in the recent period to increase cooperation with Arab countries, especially in the field of energy sources, Hijazin said, of course, and this is as we used to say before, “We should not put all eggs in one basket,” because Arab countries are known for the capabilities available in them, whether in the Gulf or North Africa, and the days have proven The Arab Dajul is a reliable partner, especially since there are no political sensitivities or ambitions between Europe and the Arab countries. We have recently noticed the repeated visits by a number of European heads of state to the Arab countries. The organization of the Climate Summit in Egypt indicates confidence in the Arab countries, especially with regard to energy. Alternative and renewable energy, especially that the Arab countries are very rich in traditional energy sources and others, which gave weight to these countries. The participation of 96 countries in the climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt indicates the interest of Western countries in the Middle East, especially the Arab countries.

Dr. Badr Abdel-Aty, Egypt's ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg, said that the businessmen forum hosted by the Arab-Belgian Chamber of Commerce in Brussels came at a very important time because the Egyptian economy is open for investment, and it came the day after the economic conference hosted by Egypt, which witnessed talk about the private sector and foreign investments. In Egypt, and therefore this forum in Brussels, which brought together businessmen from Egypt and Belgium, sends a clear and important message, which is that Egypt is completely open to investment and has a conducive environment for investment and has very great support and empowerment for the private sector, whether for the Belgian, Egyptian or foreign in general. Indeed, there are tremendous opportunities in Egypt

The ambassador added that he felt during the deliberations that took place in the forum that there was a common desire from businessmen on both sides. During the forum, Belgian companies presented presentations of the work they were doing in Egypt and their successful experiences, thus sending a positive message to the rest of the business community in Belgium, and that there was political will in Egypt from the president and the government There is also an environment for investment, so it is necessary to work quickly to double Belgian investments in Egypt and increase the volume of trade exchange