Egyptian commodity exports to South Africa in 2017 increased by 69 percent, reaching about US$99 million, compared to US$58.5 million in 2016, Trade and Industry Minister Tarek Qabil announced.
Egyptian imports from South Africa declined in 2017 by 14 percent to US$181 million, compared with US$210 million in 2016.
The minister said that the coming period will witness further growth in the trade size between Egypt and various African countries, especially in light of the launching of the African Free Trade Zone in March in the Rwandan capital Kigali.
He pointed out that the total volume of trade exchange between the two countries witnessed a significant development in 2017, rising to reach US$315 million, compared to US$268 million in 2016, with an increase rate of 17.5 percent.
Qabil pointed out that the trade deficit between the two countries dropped in 2017 to US$46.5 million, compared to US$150.8 million in 2016.
Egyptian exports to the South African market increased thanks to the Egyptian Commercial Office in Pretoria which facilitated the entry of Egyptian goods to South Africa and promoted Egypt’s participation in specialized international exhibitions held in South Africa, Undersecretary of the Trade and Industry Ministry Ahmed Antar said.
The most important items of Egyptian exports to South Africa, which recorded an increase, included non-woven yarns, polymers of adhesives, calcium carbonate and fresh grapes, Antar said.
The most important items of Egyptian imports from South Africa, which recorded a decrease in 2017, included coal, auto spare parts, accessories, electrical appliances, photo and data transmitters, and frozen meat, he added.
