The meeting discussed
facilitating the access of Egyptian agricultural and food exports into the
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) through Switzerland, which is a member state.
Cairo-
Jan 27, 2021
Minister of Trade
and Industry Nevine Gamea has received Swiss Ambassador to Egypt Paul Garnier,
where they explored means to expand economic cooperation between the two
countries.
The meeting discussed
facilitating the access of Egyptian agricultural and food exports into the
European Free Trade Association (EFTA) through member state Switzerland.
Gamea stressed the
importance of strengthening cooperation with the Swiss side in the field of
SMEs, especially since nearly 99% of Swiss businesses are small and medium enterprises, making up
about two-thirds of jobs in the country’s
economy.
She pointed out that the Egyptian
government seeks to boost exports with competitive advantage to the Swiss
market, mainly: agricultural products, food, furniture, ready-made clothes,
plastics, chemicals, essential oils and medicinal plants.
Garnier, for his part, affirmed
his country's keenness to deepen joint economic cooperation, especially that Egypt
is the main gateway into Africa and the largest market for Swiss exports on the
continent.
According to official data, bilateral
trade reached $960 million in 2020. Switzerland ranks 15th among the major investors
in the Egyptian market, with a capital of $2.179 billion in 433 projects.