President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi receives the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Cairo. Photo: Masrour Barzani’s X account
According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, the talks focused on security coordination and efforts to counter terrorism, as well as broader developments in the Middle East. El-Sisi stated that Egypt supports Iraq and the Kurdistan region in confronting regional security challenges and maintaining stability.
The meeting was attended by Egypt’s intelligence chief Major General Hassan Rashad, KRG Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed, and KRG intelligence chief Mohsen Kamal.
El-Sisi praised the "close security cooperation" between Egyptian and Iraqi institutions, including coordination with the Kurdistan region. Barzani, in turn, expressed appreciation for Egypt’s role in supporting Iraq and said the KRG was keen to expand cooperation with Egyptian institutions.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional issues, with El-Sisi outlining Egypt’s approach to restoring stability across the region and Barzani offering an assessment of current challenges, the presidency said.
Economic ties
Economic cooperation featured prominently in the talks, with El-Sisi stating that Egypt is keen to deepen trade and investment ties with Iraq, including the Kurdistan region. He highlighted the role of Egyptian companies in energy and infrastructure projects and invited the KRG to benefit from their experience and competitive costs.
Barzani welcomed the presence of Egyptian firms in Iraq and said he looked forward to working with Egyptian authorities to expand cooperation during his visit, particularly in sectors prioritized by the KRG.
Trade between Egypt and Iraq rose to $1.1 billion in 2024, up from $872 million in 2023, according to Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS). Egyptian exports increased 18.3 percent to $816 million, while imports from Iraq rose 56 percent to $284 million.
Iraqi investments in Egypt reached $3.7 million in the 2023/2024 fiscal year, up from $1.5 million a year earlier, while Egyptian investments in Iraq stood at $27.4 million, slightly down from $29 million.
Remittances from Egyptians working in Iraq more than doubled to $211.8 million in 2023/2024, compared with $99.3 million the previous year. Remittances from Iraqis in Egypt also increased, reaching $1.8 million, up from $909,000.
Economic ties between the two countries have expanded in recent years. During a visit to Baghdad by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in January, Egypt and Iraq signed 12 memoranda of understanding (MoU), adding to 11 agreements concluded less than two years earlier.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has said contracts awarded to Egyptian companies for infrastructure projects in recent years have exceeded 600 billion Iraqi dinars ($460 million).
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