Kim Hyun-bin began his journalism career at Arirang TV from 2012 to 2017, specializing in defense, foreign affairs and the economy. In 2018, he joined The Korea Times, covering society and business, and is currently responsible for embassy affairs.
Egypt seeks to deepen economic, cultural ties with Korea
Hazem Zaki, left, Egypt’s ambassador to Korea, speaks with journalists during a networking dinner at the ambassador’s residence in Seoul, Friday. Korea Times photo by Kim Hyun-bin
By Kim Hyun-bin
Egypt’s ambassador to Korea, Hazem Zaki, said Friday that Cairo is looking to significantly deepen economic, cultural and people-to-people ties with Seoul, pointing to expanding opportunities for Korean investments and cooperation across a range of sectors.
Speaking to reporters during a networking dinner at his residence in Seoul, Zaki said Egypt views its relationship with Korea as “very positive” and ripe for expansion following President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to Cairo last November, where he met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
“The political relationship is already very strong, and that gives us the space to expand cooperation across all fields,” Zaki said, pointing to manufacturing, transportation, energy, culture and tourism as priority areas.
Zaki highlighted the presence of major Korean companies in Egypt, including Samsung, Hyundai and LG, noting that Korean products enjoy strong trust among Egyptian consumers.
He said Egypt is encouraging Korean firms to expand their footprint, particularly through the Suez Canal Economic Zone, which Cairo hopes could eventually host a dedicated Korean industrial zone.
“Egypt can be a hub for Korean companies,” he said, citing the country’s strategic location linking Asia, Europe and Africa, competitive labor costs, tax incentives and free trade agreements with regional partners and the European Union.
Beyond economics, Zaki emphasized the importance of cultural and academic exchanges, saying Egypt plans to increase outreach to Korean universities, students and media organizations. He also pointed to growing Egyptian interest in Korean popular culture, including K-pop and television dramas.
“The media plays a critical role in bringing our two peoples closer,” Zaki said. “That is why it was important for me, early in my posting, to meet journalists and open channels of cooperation.”
Zaki added that several high-level Egyptian ministerial visits to Korea are being planned this year to further advance bilateral cooperation.