RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Egypt are preparing together for Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman’s historic visit to Cairo, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Tuesday.

As a prelude to the landmark visit beginning Thursday, a special preparatory meeting was held in Cairo, which discussed a whole range of important topics of mutual interest to bolster cooperation.

Describing it as a very “significant” visit, a diplomat at the Egyptian Embassy here said the king is going to Cairo on an invitation by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

The Kingdom is expected to sign a $20-billion agreement to finance Egypt’s petroleum needs for the next five years and a $1.5-billion deal to develop the Sinai region.

Saudi businessmen are investing $4 billion in projects, including the Suez Canal, energy and agriculture, and have already deposited 10 percent of that sum in Egyptian banks, said Abdallah bin Mahfouz, deputy head of the Saudi-Egyptian Business Council.

Moreover, two planes carrying a Saudi delegation from the Royal Court landed at Cairo International Airport on Monday for preparation of the visit. The team is also coordinating with the relevant agencies to make it a memorable event.

Significantly, King Salman has expressed the close Saudi affinity and bonding with Egypt in a telephone call to the Egyptian president and described the stance on Egypt as solid as both countries have strategic links.

El-Sisi expressed his deep appreciation for King Salman’s highly valued sentiments and his government described King Salman as “Great Guest of Egypt in Cairo.”

A senior diplomat here told Arab News that the visit assumes significance as the two leaders are expected to discuss regional issues and strategies to reinforce Arab unity in the wake of ongoing developments and conflicts. The two nations are together — be it Yemen, Syria or counterterrorism efforts — for which they have come into an Islamic alliance of 34 countries. The visit is also important to broaden the cooperation on external threats as well, he added.

Commerce and Industry Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah will lead the Saudi delegation at the 5th session of the Saudi-Egyptian Joint Committee meeting in Cairo on Wednesday to bolster cooperation in trade and commerce.