Cairo, Egypt – Image Credit: Zienauto/Wikimedia
Apple could expand its worldwide network of brick and mortar Apple Store into Egypt, as the country’s foreign trade minister has given the company an explicit invite to do so.
The introduction of an Apple Store in a country is a strong sign of interest by Apple to expand sales in the territory. If talks result in action, the first retail Apple Store could eventually open up in Egypt.
Apple Director of Government Affairs for the Middle East and Pakistan Omar El-Rifai met with the Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan El-Khatib, on June 2, according to Egyptian Streets. The meeting was about Apple’s presence and potential growth in the country.
As part of the talks, El-Khatib invited Apple to open up a local Apple Store in the country. This would mark Apple’s first in Egypt, if the offer is taken up by the company.
Of course, there is a lot of work to go between a foreign trade minister’s invite and an actual store opening. The process of finding a location and constructing the store, not to mention securing permits and permission to do so, can take years to complete.
If Apple does go through with it, the store would add to the growing roster of over 500 existing Apple Store locations spread across 26 countries.
Continued development
The meeting itself was about potential future investment opportunities in Egypt, to turn it into a regional technology and innovation hub.
Apple’s own operations are mentioned, with it seeing growth in call centers and training facilities. They are described by the minister as being among the most advanced of their kind in the region.
For Apple, it has committed to creating more high-quality job opportunities by further developing its facilities. The ministry has also declared its readiness to support Apple’s future projects in the country.
The developments in Egypt have largely gone by quietly, due in part to the bulk of attention being focused on China and India, as well as the United States. Apple operates innovation hubs, development offices, and support teams around the world, but they don’t draw as much attention as what’s happening in those three countries.
