Egyptian enterprise agency targets international expansion for SMEs at China fair

Egypt’s participation in a Chinese international exhibition will open new horizons for domestic products in global markets and enhance trade cooperation, the chief executive of the country’s enterprise development agency said.

Mostafa Hassan stated that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA) is representing Egypt at the 21st China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF), running from Sept. 3 to 6 in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, in order to support the access of Egyptian products to international markets.

The Egyptian pavilion features agency clients from the food, clothing, and traditional handicraft sectors. Hassan noted that MSMEDA ensured the inclusion of project owners from various governorates, including Cairo, Sohag, Fayoum, Marsa Matrouh, Ismailia, Gharbia, and Menoufia.

The fair provides a platform to introduce diverse products, which “contributes to opening new communication channels with companies and investors in various countries,” Hassan said. He added that the event allows participants to hold bilateral meetings, build new partnerships, and identify international market needs alongside modern trends in production, manufacturing, and trade.

The agency’s participation, coordinated with the Egyptian General Authority for Exhibitions and Conventions, aligns with state efforts to strengthen economic and trade relations with China and exchange expertise among SME owners.

Hassan commended the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade for its focus on increasing cooperation with MSMEDA to help project owners market their products internationally. This approach aligns with directives to increase exports from Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, who also chairs the agency’s board of directors.

The exhibition is organised by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and features numerous Chinese companies alongside foreign firms and countries.

The opening ceremony was attended by senior officials including Khaled Milad, Commercial Minister Plenipotentiary and head of the commercial representation office in Beijing; Zhang Guoqing, Vice Premier of China’s State Council; Meng Fanli, Governor of Guangdong province; Huang Kunming; and Li Liqing, Minister of Industry and Information Technology.

CISMEF is held annually in Guangzhou. Over its 20 previous editions, the event has hosted approximately 56,000 exhibitors from more than 30 countries and received 4 million visitors.