Singapore’s president will strengthen ties with Egypt through high-level meetings, business forum, and cultural outreach
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam begins a four-day state visit to Egypt from September 19 to 22, marking his first official trip to the Middle East and North Africa.
Strengthening Diplomatic Relations
The visit, hosted at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, underscores Singapore’s long-standing ties with Egypt, which will reach 60 years in 2026. President Tharman will be accorded a state welcome ceremony at Cairo’s Al Ittihadiya Palace before holding bilateral talks with Mr Sisi, who will also host a state banquet in his honour.
High-Level Engagements
Beyond President Sisi, Mr Tharman will meet Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, with both leaders co-officiating the Singapore-Egypt Business Forum. He is also scheduled to meet the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and Pope Tawadros II, leader of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church.
Economic and Social Outreach
The Singapore delegation will visit the Suez Canal Economic Zone, a key logistics and trade hub, and the Egyptian Red Crescent headquarters. Mr Tharman will also attend a reception with Singaporeans in Egypt as part of SG60 commemorations. A business delegation, led by Singapore Business Federation chairman Teo Siong Seng, is accompanying the trip.
Trade and Investment Links
Singapore is one of the largest Asian investors in Egypt, with direct investments valued at around USD 530 million. Egypt is Singapore’s eighth-largest African trading partner, with bilateral trade in services exceeding USD 1.3 billion in 2023. The forum is expected to deepen opportunities in logistics, energy, and digital cooperation.
Historical Significance
This visit continues a legacy of high-level exchanges between the two nations. Past Singaporean leaders who visited Egypt include former presidents Tony Tan in 2016 and S R Nathan in 2006, and then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in 2004. President Sisi was the first Egyptian head of state to visit Singapore in 2015.
President Tharman’s state visit to Egypt is both symbolic and strategic—reinforcing six decades of partnership while opening new avenues in trade, education, and cultural ties. For Singapore, it highlights the republic’s role as a bridge between Asia and the Middle East-North Africa region.
Sources: Straits Times (2025) , Mothership (2025)
Keywords: Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Egypt, State Visit, Singapore Diplomacy, Singapore Egypt Relations, Business Forum
