Modenas Eyes Egypt As Export Hub For Africa, Middle East By 2028
By Samantha Tan Chiew Tieng
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- National motorcycle manufacturer Motosikal dan Enjin Nasional Sdn Bhd (Modenas) is exploring opportunities to enter the Egyptian market by late 2027 or 2028, with plans to position the country as a strategic export hub for its motorcycles across Africa and the Middle East.
Its chief executive officer, Roslan Roskan, said the company is currently in discussions with a potential Egyptian partner interested in its scooter and electric motorcycle models, and it will soon provide product samples for market evaluation and pricing assessments.
He said the initiative followed an invitation last year from fellow DRB-HICOM group company Proton to explore motorcycle export opportunities in Egypt through its existing business network.
“Currently, we are in communication with the team from Egypt, the same parent company as Proton’s partner, but they are dealing with two-wheelers.
“They are interested in our scooters and electric bikes. Now we are in the process of giving them some samples to evaluate the market and pricing,” he told Bernama at an automotive showcase featuring vehicles from Proton and Modenas, here yesterday.
The exhibition was held in conjunction with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s two-day state visit to Malaysia from Oct 9 to 10.
Accompanied by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, El-Sisi spent nearly 10 minutes viewing the vehicles on display.
Roslan said Egypt offers significant potential as a regional distribution hub, given its trade agreements with countries in Africa and the Middle East, which could provide Modenas products with wider market access.
“Egypt has a big opportunity to become an export hub for Africa and also the Middle East because it has free trade agreements with those countries. We can make Egypt a hub, and from there our products will be able to be exported to all those countries,” he added.
Roslan said the company is also looking to expand its international footprint, building on existing exports to markets including the Philippines, China, Indonesia and the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Proton Holdings Bhd’s deputy chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Rashid Musa said the national carmaker is looking to strengthen its presence in Egypt and expand further into the African market by introducing new vehicle models, capitalising on growing demand for sport utility vehicles and the emerging potential of electric vehicles.
He said Egypt remained a promising market for the company, supported by strong bilateral relations between Malaysia and Egypt and an established local automotive assembly operation.
He said Proton’s presence in Egypt is supported by a completely knocked-down operation that includes welding, painting, and vehicle assembly, contributing to the country’s automotive industry and economy.
“We have a good partnership over there, and I think the potential growth in Egypt is quite good. We have a good relationship, like a government-to-government relationship, and with this good government relationship, it’s easier for us to enter certain markets,” he added.
Abdul Rashid said Proton’s assembly operations in Egypt, launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 2024, had previously focused on the Saga model, with plans to transition to the newer version.
He said the latest model is expected to offer improved fuel efficiency and performance, although adjustments are needed to meet the Egyptian market’s specifications and regulatory requirements.
Abdul Rashid said the company also won two awards at the Egypt Car of the Year Awards 2026, namely Best Year-on-Year Sales Growth and Best Economic Competitiveness.
On future expansion, he said Proton planned to introduce more models in Egypt and other export destinations, taking into account differences in market preferences, vehicle specifications, climate conditions and regulatory requirements.
El-Sisi is on a state visit to Malaysia at the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
The visit marks his first state visit to Malaysia since assuming office in 2014, and this represents a significant step toward elevating Malaysia-Egypt relations to a Strategic Partnership after more than six decades of diplomatic ties.
-- BERNAMA