The markets of Turkey, US, Saudi Arabia, Italy and Malta accounted
for 34% of Egypt’s total exports in January-March.
Cairo- Apr
17, 2021
Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea has announced
that non-oil exports grew 6% year on year in the first quarter to around $7,438
billion, up from $6,990 billion.
Based on a recent report, imports also increased slightly by
2% in the same period from a year ago, registering $16.991 billion, compared to
$16.675 billion.
“Thanks to relentless efforts by the Ministry of Trade and
Industry, Egypt has managed to achieve a remarkable export rise and maintain its markets
abroad amid the COVID-19 crisis,” Gamea said commenting on the report, noting that trade
deficit narrowed 1% to around $9.552 billion.
The sectors of chemicals and fertilizers ($1.530 billion), building
materials ($1.353 billion), food industries ($965 million), engineering and
electronic products ($739 million), ready-made garments ($434 million), and medical
industries ($174 million) were the key drivers behind export growth in the
January-March period, said Ismail Gaber, head of the General Organization For
Export and Import Control.
According to the report, 30.6% of total Egyptian exports were
destined for countries including: Turkey, US, Saudi Arabia, Italy and Malta, with
values worth $504 million, $498 million, $456 million, $447 million and $375 million
respectively.
On the other hand, the largest exporters to Egypt were: China, US, Germany, Russia and Italy, with values amounting
to $3.145 billion, $1.495 billion, $970 million, $855 million and $689 million
respectively, which together accounted for 42.1% of the country’s overall
imports.