Russian companies in line for a piece of the RIZ: Trade and Industry Minister Tarek Kabil met with representatives of 60 Russian companies in Moscow over the weekend to discuss potential investment in the long-awaited USD 7 bn Russian Industrial Zone (RIZ). Companies attending the meeting included vehicle manufacturer Sinara Group, Lada manufacturer and Groupe Renault subsidiary AvtoVAZ, auto components manufacturer Kamaz, and rail equipment manufacturer Transmashholding, Ahram Gate reports. Egypt and Russia had finally inked the contracts for the zone last week, giving Russian companies rights to develop a 5.25 mn sqm stretch of land in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone).

Egypt, Russia sign MoU to develop infrastructure for bread, grain, and dairy production: Kabil and his Russian counterpart Denis Manturov signed an MoU on Thursday that will see them cooperate on upgrading logistics within Egypt’s food production chain, according to a ministry statement. The three-year agreement will see Russian companies participate in building new infrastructure for grain storage and preparation, baking, and dairy processing. Both sides will also collaborate on similar ventures elsewhere in the region under the agreement.

Also from Russia over the weekend: The Egyptian Exporters Association (Expolink) signed three MoUs with the Russian commercial attaché in Egypt on Friday to promote Egyptian exports, according to Al Masry Al Youm. The agreement will see logistical centers for Egyptian products established in Moscow to facilitate their distribution in the Russian market, according to Expolink president Khalid El Miqati.