Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi concluded on Wednesday his four-day state visit to the Austrian capital Vienna. “The Egyptian market is very large in the region and includes 100 million citizens,” Sisi noted, adding that Egypt is a gateway to African countries and has concluded many agreements with some major regional and international groupings. He also met in his residence 16 of the top Austrian companies that are operating in Egypt in addition to a number of Egyptian businessmen, who are members of the Egyptian-Austrian business council. He reviewed with them some investment opportunities in the economic zone of the Suez Canal and the new Suez Canal, which reduced half the transit time of ships. The Egyptian President’s participation in the high-level Africa-Europe Forum came at an invitation of Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, current president of the European Union, and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, current president of the African Union. Sisi emphasized Egypt’s balanced foreign political relations with all Middle Eastern countries, Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady said in a press statement. According to Rady, Sisi described these relationships as balanced, constructive and based on development, mutual respect and cooperation. He stressed the importance of settling part of the Austrian expertise and industries in Egypt to guarantee sustainability and good prices. Rady added that Sisi reviewed in the meeting the current investment opportunities in Egypt and procedures taken by the government to facilitate foreign investments. Sisi met during his visit with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellenand and praised the Egyptian-Austrian friendship. He said Egypt looks forward to deepen and strengthen these relations, especially at the economic and commercial levels by increasing the volume of Austrian investments in his country. In this context, Sisi also met with the Austrian Chancellor in which both sides discussed means of boosting bilateral cooperation and coordination at all levels, especially in light of the pivotal role that Egypt is playing as a pillar of stability, security and peace in the Middle East and Africa. Both sides also discussed regional and international issues of common concern.