Royal visit to boost Egypt ties

JEDDAH/CAIRO: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman will arrive in Cairo on Thursday on a historic visit that is expected to see the two countries cement political and economic ties, including firming up deals worth billions.
The king will deliver a speech at the Egyptian Parliament during his first official visit to the country since he ascended to the throne in January 2015.
On Wednesday, in preparation for his arrival, the 15th round of the Saudi-Egyptian joint committee kicked off to a promising start, said the Saudi Press Agency.
In statements following the meeting, Ahmad bin Abdul Aziz Al-Haqabani, undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Saeed Abdullah, first undersecretary at the Egyptian Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said the first day’s outcome was positive.
Al-Haqabani rejected reports that there were serious obstacles facing Saudi investments in Egypt, and said they were customs-related problems easily settled by officials in charge. He said trade was worth $4.4 billion in 2015 and would be increased this year.
Abdullah said 15 agreements covering development and rehabilitation of Sinai, petroleum, commerce, industry, education, and culture and information would be signed on the sidelines of the meetings.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has emphasized the importance of King Salman’s visit to Cairo and spoke of the “special relationship” between the two countries in an interview with Al-Arabiya TV.
“Some media circles have been doubting the strength of our relationship but I am in constant communication with my Saudi counterpart Adel Al-Jubeir who has assured that ties remain strong,” Shoukry said.
Since 2013, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have given Cairo around $35 billion in aid in the form of oil shipments, cash grants and deposits into its central bank.