(MENAFN- Daily News Egypt) The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) has received a Chinese delegation led by Xu Qing, representative of the Mayor of Shanghai, at the Authority's headquarters in Port Said. The meeting was attended by Mohamed Ahmed Mahmoud, SCZONE Vice Chairperson, along with several senior officials from the Authority's northern sector.

The visit aimed to enhance bilateral cooperation and exchange expertise in port management and logistics services between Egypt and China.

During the meeting, Mahmoud presented an overview of the SCZONE's strategic advantages, highlighting its prime geographic location, integrated network of ports and industrial zones, and global market access supported by numerous free trade agreements. He also outlined the Authority's recent achievements in infrastructure development and digital transformation, including the single-window system, the economic zone logistics centre, and digital governance platforms designed to improve state revenues and boost industrial integration. Mahmoud reaffirmed the SCZONE's commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Chinese business community.

He noted that East Port Said Port, one of the SCZONE's flagship facilities, recently ranked first in Africa and third globally in the World Bank's Container Port Performance Index-reflecting the Authority's sustained efforts and fruitful collaborations with leading international port operators.

For his part, Xu Qing expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation with the SCZONE, particularly in port operations. He noted that China is home to some of the world's largest port operators and shipping lines, and that under the Belt and Road Initiative, the SCZONE's ports hold a pivotal position as a global trade and transit hub, offering refuelling and maritime services that reinforce Egypt's strategic role.

Xu described the SCZONE as one of the most successful examples of Egypt–China strategic partnership, strengthened by the continuous support of both countries' leadership. He also praised the performance of Chinese investments within the SCZONE-especially in the promising Qantara West area, which now hosts around 26 Chinese projects in the textiles and ready-made garments sector-underscoring growing investor confidence in Egypt's economic zone.

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