Randa El Menshawy, Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, met with Princess Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi, Minister of Housing and Urban Planning of the Kingdom of Bahrain, to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation in housing and sustainable urban development.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of El Menshawy’s participation in the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, held in the Azerbaijani capital Baku from May 17 to 22, 2026, under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities.”
At the outset of the discussions, El Menshawy highlighted the strong historical and fraternal relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of Bahrain, noting the ongoing progress in their cooperation across multiple sectors, particularly in housing and urban development. She also commended the existing collaboration between both sides, especially in the exchange of expertise and successful practices in this vital field.
The talks reviewed two memoranda of understanding previously signed between the two countries: the MoU establishing the Bahraini-Egyptian Urban Planning Council, and another focusing on real estate development. El Menshawy emphasized the importance of activating these agreements and translating them into concrete projects and executive programs that support sustainable development and strengthen urban integration between the two nations.
The discussions further addressed potential cooperation in implementing housing and construction projects in Bahrain. El Menshawy affirmed the readiness of specialized Egyptian companies to take part in such projects, citing their extensive experience and proven capabilities in executing large-scale construction and urban development works.
She also pointed to the achievements of Egyptian firms in developing new cities and implementing major national projects both domestically and internationally.
She further reiterated Egypt’s commitment to supporting partnerships with private sector developers under the presidential initiative “Housing for All Egyptians,” particularly in the low-income housing segment, by offering incentives and facilitating investment measures that attract capital and enhance regional cooperation opportunities.
El Menshawy also noted that the Egyptian market has accumulated strong expertise in smart and sustainable urban development, which can be shared with Bahrain. She highlighted the importance of exchanging experiences related to supportive legislation and incentives that facilitate the transition toward sustainable cities, as well as adopting successful models that create an attractive investment environment in real estate and urban development.
For her part, Princess Amna bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi expressed Bahrain’s keenness to deepen cooperation with Egypt across housing and urban planning sectors. She praised Egypt’s leading experience in developing new cities and infrastructure, which has driven significant urban transformation in recent years.
She also expressed Bahrain’s interest in benefiting from Egyptian expertise and expanding cooperation with Egyptian companies specialized in construction and real estate development.
In conclusion, El Menshawy reaffirmed the commitment of the Egyptian Ministry of Housing to continue coordination with the Bahraini side, broaden areas of partnership, and further exchange expertise in support of sustainable urban development and to open new horizons for cooperation between the two brotherly countries.