Egypt’s non-oil exports reach $59.7B in 8 months

CAIRO – 30 September 2018: The trade exchange of non-petroleum products hit $59.68 billion in the first eight months of 2018, compared to $53.35 billion during the same period of 2017, with an increase of 11.8 percent.

The General Organization for Export & Import Control (GOEIC) said in a report that Egypt’s exports hiked 10 percent, recording $16.54 billion, compared to $14.99 billion during the first eight months of 2017.

Egypt’s imports also increased 12 percent to $43.14 million, compared to $38.35 million in January-to-August period in 2017, gaining $4.78 billion.

Furthermore, trade exchange between Egypt and the United States during the eight months of 2018 rose 28.2 percent, recording $4.41 billion, compared to $3.44 billion in the same period of the previous year.

Meanwhile, trade exchange with African countries without Arabs recorded $1.63 billion, compared to $1.37 billion in the same period of the previous year, with an increase of 19.5 percent.

Regarding Arab countries, trade exchange increased 9 percent to $8.9 million, compared to $8.16 billion during the same period of 2017.

The trade movement with the European Union countries marked an increase of 3.9 percent, recording $18.34 billion, compared to $17.65 billion during the same period of 2017.

Five export sectors witnessed growth during January- to-August period, as chemicals rose 24.8 percent to $3.54 billion, handcraft industries by 10.1 percent to $142 million, medical exports by 13 percent to $338 million and textile by 7.2 percent to $597 million, according to Head of GOEIC Ismail Gaber.

Gaber added that the import sectors included furniture which surged by 61.6 percent to $90 million, leather products by 34.6 percent to $133 million, handcraft industries by 28.1 percent to $224 million, in addition to building materials by 26.4 percent to $7.32 million and garments by 32.8 percent to $349 million.

He also stated that the biggest markets which received the Egyptian products during the first eight months of the current year include the United Arab Emirates at $1.5 billion, Turkey at $1.39 billion, Italy at $1.02 billion, Saudi Arabia at $932 million, USA at $957 million, UK at $702 million, Spain at $632 million, Algeria at $541 million, Germany at $459 million, France at $459 million, Jordon at $393 million and Russia at $338 million.

During January-July, non-petroleum exports reached $14.89 billion, with an increase of 14.3 percent.