President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi met with the CEO of Bechtel Corporation, Brendan Bechtel, in Cairo on Tuesday, and discussed ways to boost cooperation with the US firm.

El-Sisi expressed his appreciation for Bechtel's projects in Egypt's oil and gas sector, adding that Egypt is keen for its megaprojects to benefit from the corporation's expertise in the fields of transportation, construction and water treatment, a statement from the president's office read.

The US businessman stated that his company is hoping to increase its operations and its projects in Egypt, referring to the upcoming petrochemical complex planned for the Suez Canal Economic Zone that is currently being discussed with the petroleum ministry.

El-Sisi also met on Tuesday with the CEO of British Petroleum (BP), Bernard Looney, to discuss cooperation with the firm and its operations in the country.

The president also expressed his hope that BP will increase its investments and operations in the country, according to a presidential statement.

El-Sisi also said that Egypt gives priority to the private sector's participation in the energy sector, pointing to the successful partnership with BP in training and honing the skills of cadres and its support for educational initiatives and financing of scholarships for Egyptian graduates at major British universities.

Looney expressed his appreciation for meeting with El-Sisi, adding that it this is his first foreign business trip since assuming his position this month, and this was due to the importance of Egypt, the presidential statement read.

Looney added that Egypt is a strategic partner for BP, praising what Egypt has achieved in the energy field and in state infrastructure in general and in oil and gas sector infrastructure in particular.

The meetings took place on the sidelines of the first day of the Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS 2020). Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Petroleum Minister Tarek El-Molla attended both meetings.

El-Sisi opened the trade show earlier on Tuesday.

It will run until Thursday and is set to see the participation of more than 270 local and international industrial experts, along with 1,600 participants.