Belarus, Egypt to boost trade considerably
2012-07-06 10:31:37
Belarus and Egypt will substantially increase trade. Interest in stepping up trade was confirmed by Belarus’ Trade Minister Valentin Chekanov and Mohamed Mohamed Alaa Eldin Aly Shawky Elhadidi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Russian Federation and Belarus (on concurrent), BelTA learnt from the press service of the Trade Ministry.
Valentin Chekanov thinks that direct contacts of businessmen from Egypt and Belarus would be highly instrumental in boosting the Belarus-Egypt trade. In this regard, the minister confirmed the invitation for the new Minister of Industry and Foreign Trade of Egypt to visit Belarus and hold the second sitting of Belarus-Egypt joint trade commission.
Belarus’ Trade Minister stressed that it is important to develop friendly relations between Egypt and Belarus. “The Republic of Belarus sees Egypt as a key partner in the Middle East and on the African continent,” Valentin Chekanov said.
For his part, Mohamed Alaa Eldin Aly Shawky Elhadidi assured that Egypt intends to expand relations with all friendly countries, including Belarus.
In 2011 the bilateral trade totaled $64.2 million (up 1.4% from 2010). Belarus’ export to Egypt made up $45.7 million. In January-May 2012 Belarus’ export surged three times as against the same period in 2011 to $34 million. Belarus exports to Egypt metal products, tractors, truck tractors, equipment for vehicles and tractors, complex synthetic fibers, polycarboxilic acids, internal-combustion engines, tires and metal-cutting machine tools. Belarusian Steel Works (BMZ trademark), Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ trademark) and Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ trademark) are major exporters to Egypt. In 2010 BelAZ resumed its deliveries to Egypt for the first time in 30 years.
MAZ and MTZ assembly factories already operate in Egypt, BelAZ may increase deliveries to this African country and Amkodor is going to start supplying its products there.
Egypt exports to Belarus citrus fruit, medicines, extractions and essences, coffee and tea concentrates, mate and coffee substitutes.