Can economic opportunity bring Turkey, Egypt closer?
Turkey and Egypt are making investment overtures toward one another despite lingering political animosity that is unlikely to be resolved.
CAIRO — Egypt and Turkey are exploring economic ventures that would benefit both countries, but experts say a potential financial friendship doesn't indicate relations will improve in other areas.
A high-caliber Turkish economic delegation recently attended the Egyptian-Turkish Business Forum held Jan. 29-30 in Cairo. The visit was the first by a Turkish delegation since June 2013, when mass protests in Egypt ended the Muslim Brotherhood’s rule.
The delegation was headed by Rifat Hisarciklioglu, the chairman of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey, who was invited by the head of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC), Ahmed El Wakeel.
The Turkish Embassy in Cairo said the delegation included 10 senior officials of companies involved in engineering, chemicals, textiles, energy, agriculture and various services, in addition to senior Turkish investors. The goal of the trip was to promote investments and revive trade in Egypt.
