The meeting at Al-Ittihadiya Palace centred on expanding economic cooperation between Egypt and Russia, with the RIZ project a key component of bilateral industrial and trade ties, stated presidential spokesman Mohammed El-Shennawy.
El-Sisi welcomed Minnikhanov and asked him to convey his greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin, praising the growing momentum in Egypt–Russia relations across multiple sectors, including cooperation with Tatarstan.
He highlighted the republic’s development, particularly in industry, technology, and agriculture, and reaffirmed Egypt’s interest in deepening economic ties.
Minnikhanov expressed appreciation for the reception and said Tatarstan was keen to expand cooperation with Egypt, noting progress in relations since his last visit to Cairo in 2018 and El-Sisi’s visit to Kazan in 2024 for the BRICS summit.
El-Shennawy added that Minnikhanov also praised Egypt’s role in promoting regional security and stability in the Middle East and Africa.
The two sides also discussed cooperation in sectors including agriculture, industry, tourism, education, and culture.
El-Sisi congratulated Kazan on being named Capital of Islamic Culture for 2026, while Minnikhanov invited the Egyptian president to include the city in a future visit to Russia.
Separately, Minnikhanov toured the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) late on Monday, accompanied by Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. The visit included the main atrium, Grand Staircase, Tutankhamun galleries, and the Khufu ship museum.
Minnikhanov commended the museum's organization and its artefacts. The visit concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts, reflecting growing cultural ties between the two sides.
He also visited the grave of Tatar scholar Sheikh Musa Jarullah in Cairo, paying tribute at the Hosh El-Basha cemetery.
Accompanied by Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber and Industry Minister Khaled Hashem, Minnikhanov paid tribute at the Hosh El-Basha royal cemetery.
Jarullah, a prominent Tatar thinker, died in Cairo in 1949 and was buried in the royal family cemetery in a rare honour for a non-Egyptian scholar.
Egypt has been seeking to draw more Russian investment into the RIZ, an industrial zone agreed in 2018 to host Russian manufacturers producing for the local market and for export to Africa and the Middle East.
Tatarstan, one of Russia’s most industrialized regions, has strengths in petrochemicals, heavy machinery, automotive manufacturing, and agricultural processing; areas Egypt is targeting as it looks to position itself as a regional manufacturing and export hub.
Cooperation has also extended beyond industry, including cultural and religious links, with Egypt’s Al-Azhar maintaining ties with institutions in Tatarstan through educational exchanges.
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