Joint job fair in Egypt attracts graduates

A recruitment fair for Egypt-based Chinese companies returned to the Egyptian northeastern city of Ismailia on Tuesday after two years of suspension due to COVID-19, offering hundreds of positions for aspirational college students.

At least 25 Chinese companies in Egypt took part in the job fair held by the Confucius Institute at the Suez Canal University and the Egyptian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, including those in the fields of architecture, communications, textiles, logistics and husbandry.

"I filled in many applications for recruitment and went on to have interviews with three Chinese companies," Mariam Roushdy, a 22-year-old senior at the Suez Canal University who majors in the Chinese language, told Xinhua News Agency. She is aspiring to be a translator.

"The fair saves effort and time as we can meet many job providers in one place instead of traveling to several provinces. And this edition has various opportunities in the fields of translation, engineering and accounting."

Hundreds of college students and graduates armed with resumes packed the fair, hoping to land an internship or a full-time job. Firms from across Egypt, including the Suez Canal Economic Zone, the New Administrative Capital, the Mediterranean city of New Alamein and the capital Cairo, attended the job fair.

Growing opportunities

Ma Chi, regional deputy manager of Chinese power equipment manufacturer Xian Electric Engineering, said his company expected to attract more young talent from the fair and "boost the Egyptian economy".

He added that the regional branch has finished constructing dozens of transformer substations in Egypt, where they have seen years of smooth operation with the help of local employees.

Omar Ibrahim, a human resources manager at Chinese fiberglass giant Jushi, said a new production line that his company will open in October needs hundreds of new workers.

"Since its establishment in 2017, the job fair has been a communication platform between local graduates and Chinese companies operating in Egypt," said Hassan Ragab, head of the Confucius Institute at the Suez Canal University.

"The forum is a channel to connect Chinese firms with talented and professional employees," said Nasser Mandour, president of the Suez Canal University.

Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang said he believes that Chinese firms will create "more job opportunities for Egyptians along with the growing economic cooperation between Egypt and China".

Liao also said he believes Chinese firms in Egypt are working to make China's development an opportunity for Egypt to further develop.

Xinhua