Engineer Sherif El-Sherbiny, Egypt’s Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, received Iraq’s Ambassador to Cairo, Qahthan Taha Khalaf, and his accompanying delegation today to discuss strengthening joint cooperation. The talks focused on sharing Egypt’s urban development experience with Iraq and involving Egyptian construction companies and consultancies in Iraq’s developmental projects.
El-Sherbiny welcomed Ambassador Khalaf and his delegation to Egypt, emphasizing that, under the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Egypt is fully prepared to transfer its extensive experience in urban development to Iraq. He highlighted the capabilities of Egyptian construction firms, consultancies, and developers, which possess the expertise, equipment, and resources to play a major role in executing various projects in Iraq. El-Sherbiny also noted that Egypt has localized many industries related to construction and is ready to export both expertise and materials to Iraq, as well as other Arab and African countries.
The minister pointed out several areas where cooperation can be enhanced, particularly given Egypt’s significant achievements in urban development. These include housing projects for all societal segments, the development of new cities—especially fourth-generation cities—and infrastructure projects related to water supply, sewage treatment, and seawater desalination.
El-Sherbiny invited Iraq to participate in the upcoming World Urban Forum, which provides a platform to deepen cooperation. He suggested that Iraq’s officials, companies, and investors use the opportunity to meet with Egyptian construction firms and developers. Ambassador Khalaf welcomed the invitation and expressed Iraq’s desire to learn from Egypt’s pioneering urban development model.
Ambassador Khalaf also conveyed that Iraq’s Prime Minister is keen to see Egyptian construction companies involved in various urban development projects in Iraq, including housing, water infrastructure, and desalination projects. He extended an invitation for Egyptian companies to participate in Iraq’s upcoming investment exhibition in November, providing an opportunity to explore business prospects in Iraq.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to facilitate further communication between their specialists and activate a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). They also planned to organize meetings between the heads of construction unions from Africa, Egypt, and the Arab world during the ambassador’s current visit to Egypt.
