Nile Oracle 13 10 2026 Amb Hany Selim 1

Overview

The program examined President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s Asian tour, focusing on its first stop in South Korea and its wider significance for Egypt’s ties with South Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Ambassador Hani Selim described the tour as part of Egypt’s effort to diversify its strategic partnerships amid global and regional instability. He said it built on earlier visits and cooperation, particularly the 2016 Egypt–South Korea framework. According to Selim, the relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership during the 2026 visit, when 12 agreements were signed in South Korea—part of 20 agreements signed across the tour. He characterized the agreements as targeting areas important to Egypt’s development and reflecting a long-term, mutually beneficial approach.

Selim argued that closer relations should draw not only on partner countries’ technical and economic expertise, but also on an understanding of the models and ideas behind their development. He also emphasized Egypt’s cultural heritage, diplomatic role, and soft power as assets in building partnerships. Cultural exchanges—including cinema, music, arts, and media—were discussed as a foundation for broader cooperation.

Investment and Industrial Cooperation

The conversation highlighted the Suez Canal economic zone as a potential destination for high-tech and other industrial investment from the three Asian countries. Selim said Egypt’s location, infrastructure, workforce, and production capacity could make it attractive despite current instability. He noted that Korean, Malaysian, and Indonesian interest could also reflect competition with established investors such as China.

As an example of long-term Korean investment, Selim referred to a Korean factory in Beni Suef, describing it as an export base for Arab and African markets, with potential access to European markets through Egypt’s trade arrangements. He said the investment includes a research and development unit and linked it to the establishment of a Korean college for science and technology near the factory to develop Egyptian technical skills.

Presenters and Contributors

• Presenter/host: Name not stated in the subtitles
• Ambassador Hani Selim: Former assistant foreign minister for Asian affairs and former Egyptian ambassador to South Korea