Egyptian Ambassador to South Korea Khaled Abdel Rahman speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency at the Egyptian Embassy in Seoul, in Yongsan, on March 24, 2025. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 25 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s efforts to localize its industries in Egypt, such as defense manufacturing and infrastructure, will help further strengthen cooperation between the two countries, the top Egyptian envoy to Seoul has said.
Egyptian Ambassador to South Korea Khaled Abdel Rahman made the remarks, emphasizing that his country’s initiatives in these sectors create many opportunities for Korean businesses to expand their presence in the Arab-African nation — occupying a strategically vital position linking Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
“We are at a pivot point in the route of world trade,” Abdel Rahman said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Monday, pointing out Egypt’s geographical position with the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Red Sea to the east.
“I think the keyword here is localizing the industry in Egypt. If the Korean firm is keen to cooperate with Egypt, their offer should include localizing the industry in Egypt,” the ambassador said.
In this vein, Abdel Rahman expressed hope South Korea’s bid to export FA-50 light attack aircraft and anti-tank missiles to Egypt will produce a positive result.
“Korea is really a very advanced country in manufacturing of such systems,” he said. “I very much hope that the technical and the detailed discussions between the institutions and the Korean companies will lead, hopefully, to a positive outcome.”
The ambassador suggested defense partnerships could also take the form of localization, citing his country having an industrial base for the arms and defense sectors.
“The collaboration is important for defense industries to exchange the expertise and the developments that they have reached … to export these products to other countries, either in the African continent, or in the Arab world,” he said.
The potential FA-50 deal, if won, would mark yet another feat for South Korea’s defense sector, following the contract signed between South Korea’s Hanwha and Egypt’s defense ministry in early 2022. Under the deal, known to be worth more than US$1.6 billion, Hanwha will supply K9 self-propelled howitzers to Cairo, in the first entry of the artillery system into the African market.
Egypt has emerged as a key defense cooperation partner for South Korea. Late last year, Hanwha’s defense equipment-making unit announced it will export arms control systems for the K11 fire command armored vehicle and the upgraded howitzer to Egypt, with the supply to be completed by the end of 2028.
“(It) reflects the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries,” Abdel Rahman said.
The ambassador cited, in particular, energy, infrastructure, digital transformation and defense, as “promising” areas of cooperation with South Korea, saying that Egypt has been streamlining regulations and improving the business environment for foreign direct investment.
“Egypt is actively encouraging Korean investment by offering incentives in sectors such as renewable energy, smart cities and transportation,” he said.
Egypt is currently building 14 smart cities, through which it is offering big opportunities for foreign businesses to invest and expand their footholds, he said.
“They need smart appliances, fiber optics, internet connectivity … There is a huge potential for Korean companies to work,” he said.
Abdel Rahman also noted the Egyptian government is actively engaging in discussions with airline companies to facilitate the resumption of regular direct flights between Seoul and Cairo to boost tourism and enhance business opportunities.
The regular direct flights between South Korea and Egypt have remained suspended since the civil revolution in Egypt in 2011.
“Given the rising number of Korean tourists visiting Egypt, it would be highly beneficial,” he said. “Both governments are exploring viable options to reestablish this route in the near future.”
Marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, which falls on April 13, Abdel Rahman said preparations are under way to organize a series of cultural events, economic forums and other diplomatic engagement.
“Moving forward, Egypt and Korea should continue strengthening collaboration in trade, technology and infrastructure, while enhancing cultural exchanges to foster mutual understanding and cooperation,” he said.
(Yonhap)
