Ashraf AboArafe
The Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt, Dr. Lutfi Rauf, expressed his deep appreciation for the initiative of United Egypt for Commercial and Industrial Investments, which held meetings for businessmen, investors, artists, and athletes as part of the Indonesia-Egypt Iftar Day 2025, held at the Sporting Castle Club in Tanta, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt (March 22, 2025).
Ambassador Lotfy Raouf said, “Our deep appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Mohamed Khalaf for initiating the Indonesia-Egypt Day activities. On the sidelines of the celebration, an Iftar was held during Ramadan. This demonstrates the close relationship between Indonesia and Egypt, which has lasted 78 years. We certainly hope that this relationship will continue to strengthen not only in government relations but also in business circles, meeting with businessmen, athletes, and artists, including strengthening ties between Indonesian and Egyptian youth.”
During the meeting, the United Egypt for Commercial and Industrial Investments Company’s request for raw materials for soap (soap pasta) from Indonesia for 2025, valued at $1 million, was discussed. This included Mohamed El Masry’s request for tires and bicycle spare parts, and the request for cocoa powder, shredded coconut, and palm oil as raw materials for the production of pastries by Kriz Sweets Company.
Mr. Alaa Abbas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Integrated Oil and Soap Company in Minya, also requested palm oil orders exceeding $5 million.
The Commercial Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo added that Egypt is Indonesia’s comprehensive strategic partner, and this is what This is evidenced by the growing demand for premium products in the Indonesian food and beverage sector in Egypt. Indonesian coconut oil products in Egypt in 2024 reached US$41.9 million, a 29.13% increase compared to US$32.46 million in 2023, while cocoa powder reached US$6.83 million, a 26.67% increase compared to US$5.39 million in 2023. Desiccated coconut reached US$5.43 million, a 29.56% increase compared to US$4.19 million in 2023. Meanwhile, the value of soap raw material products in 2024 is expected to reach US$2.75 million. Indonesia Egypt Day activities featured Sufi tanoura dancing and traditional Egyptian dances. The event was also attended by the Social and Cultural Media Coordinator and the Defense Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo; prominent Egyptian artists Sameh Hussein; Ibrahim Gabr, Director of Kiriaz Sweets in Tanta; Major General Dr. Mohamed Mandour, President of the Egyptian Mental Math Federation for Youth, Chairman of the Government Relations Committee of the Egyptian-African Business Association (EABA), and Chairman and CEO of the Egyptian-African Business Association; Arab Contractors for Facilities Management; Engineer Ibrahim Ahmed Khalaf, Public Relations Manager at United Egypt, which also produces Schneider malt-flavored soft drinks, in addition to all paper products and industrial detergents; and more than 300 other guests.
On the sidelines of the celebration, His Excellency the Ambassador, artist Sameh Hussein, producer Ahmed Zayed, and Major General Mohamed Mandour were honored.
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