France prioritizes exporting wheat to Egypt in current harvest season: ambassador

CAIRO – 5 July 2022: French Ambassador to Cairo Marc Barety told press Monday that his country is a producer of wheat and that it prioritizes exporting the crop to Egypt in the current harvest season.

Barety showcased that France's support to Egypt to deal with the global food crisis is taking place bilaterally in the form of export, through the European Union, and on the international level.

For instance, France pushed for Egypt to acquire €100 million from the union to build more silos. It also considers the country among the most eligible for receiving grains through the FARM initiative, which equally aims for supporting countries producing such food staples to make up for the shortage incurred by the Russia-Ukraine War.

In a related context, the ambassador noted that cargo ships transporting grains can no longer navigate the Black Sea, while resorting to other means of transportation has become quite complicated.  He further asserted that there is no European ban on wheat, grain or food exports.

As for the French-Egyptian cooperation, Barety showcased that the French Development Agency (AFD) is currently funding projects in the sectors of transportation, water treatment, education, and healthcare. He added that the current funding portfolio is €3 billion, so as €250 million are being disbursed every year.

As for the French companies operating in Egypt, the ambassador said that those are concentrated in the sectors of transportation, water treatment, energy pharmaceuticals, wholesale and distribution, and industrial production. However, he underlined that French firms will be soon interested in entering in the sectors of green hydrogen and manufacturing of electric cars.

Barety pointed out that France is very keen on collaborating with Egypt in projects targeted at mitigating climate change impact, and that there are already French enterprises working in the fields of solar energy and wind energy. He also highlighted that 70 percent of the financing offered by the AFD is pertaining to climate action and environment protection.

The French ambassador wished luck to Egypt in hosting COP 27 in Shram El Sheikh on November 7-18, which reflects the country's eagerness on pushing forward climate action.