Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam co-chaired the Egypt-Lebanon Higher Committee meeting in the new capital, aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two countries across trade, energy, and investment, according to a cabinet statement. The meeting marks the first higher-committee between the two sides in six years.

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The two sides inked a series of MoUs and cooperation protocols during the meeting, covering key sectors including energy, economic policy, local development, aviation, social protection, maritime transport, industry, technical education, agriculture, housing, customs, and financial regulations, according to a statement. The two leaders agreed to accelerate the implementation of the agreements, especially on the economic side.

Egypt wants to double the USD 1 bn in bilateral trade between the two countries recorded in 2024 “in light of the strength of economic relations between the two countries, and considering the role of the private sector in driving cooperation and joint investment fields,” Madbouly said during a press conference following the meeting.

Both sides also signed a draft MoU on mutual visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders and an MoU on consumer protection. Madbouly reaffirmed Egypt’s full support of Lebanon, stressing backing for its political and economic stability and rejecting Israeli presence on Lebanese territories. Meanwhile, Salam praised Egypt’s political and humanitarian efforts in Gaza and invited Egyptian businesses and ministers to an upcoming investment conference in Beirut in the middle of November.

Madbouly emphasized the country’s commitment to rebuilding southern Lebanon, announcing at the presser that “[Egypt] will be keen to fully support the Lebanese government in the reconstruction and development projects needed by southern Lebanon in the coming period.” Madbouly also noted that Egyptian companies are fully prepared to cooperate with the Lebanese side in construction, infrastructure, and more.

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