Egypt is positioning itself as a major player in the veterinary vaccine industry, following high-level discussions between the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation and one of South Korea’s leading poultry vaccine manufacturers. The meeting, held under the leadership of Egypt’s Minister of Agriculture, Alaa Farouk, and attended by Deputy Minister Mostafa El-Sayyad and senior ministry officials, centered on potential South Korean investment in Egypt’s poultry vaccine production sector—a move seen as timely and crucial for boosting food security and strengthening Egypt’s agricultural infrastructure.
During the meeting, Minister Farouk expressed the government’s full backing for investments that align with Egypt’s national development goals, particularly in the agriculture sector. He stressed that Egypt is committed to creating a favorable investment climate by simplifying administrative procedures, ensuring transparency, and encouraging public-private partnerships. According to Farouk, veterinary vaccine production is a priority area due to its direct impact on food security and the availability of affordable sources of animal protein for the population. He emphasized that the success of such investments would be supported by the Ministry’s technical and regulatory institutions, including the Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute and the General Authority for Veterinary Services.
The Egyptian government views this potential collaboration as an opportunity to not only meet local demand for poultry vaccines but also expand its footprint in regional markets. Minister Farouk noted that the partnership would enhance Egypt’s capacity to export vaccines to neighboring countries in Africa and the Middle East, positioning the nation as a regional hub for veterinary pharmaceutical production. Additionally, he highlighted that the venture would help transfer valuable Korean expertise and advanced technological practices to Egypt, which would contribute to creating skilled jobs and advancing local research and innovation.
The South Korean vaccine company, which boasts more than five decades of experience and a portfolio comprising 85 different veterinary vaccines, expressed a strong interest in the Egyptian market. Company representatives proposed the construction of a vaccine production plant in Egypt with an annual capacity of 200 million doses. They acknowledged Egypt’s comparative advantages, particularly its existing expertise in the production of pathogen-free fertilized eggs—an essential raw material in vaccine production. This unique capability was noted as a competitive edge that would make Egypt an ideal location for such a manufacturing facility.
In addition to production, the Korean company signaled its commitment to long-term cooperation by expressing interest in partnering with Egyptian research institutions. It proposed providing training programs and facilitating the exchange of knowledge to nurture local expertise and ensure that Egypt remains at the forefront of technological advancements in veterinary healthcare. This approach, the company believes, will contribute to sustainable development and capacity building within the sector.
To ensure the success of the potential partnership, Minister Farouk issued clear instructions to the General Authority for Veterinary Services and the Serum and Vaccine Research Institute to collaborate actively with the Korean company. He urged them to assess all available avenues of cooperation, identify potential regulatory hurdles, and provide solutions that will ease the investment process. If realized, this partnership could significantly elevate Egypt’s standing in global veterinary vaccine production and reinforce its role as a leader in animal health innovation across Africa and beyond.
