Non-petroleum exports increase to $20B in Nov: GOEIC

CAIRO – 18 December 2017: Egyptian non-petroleum exports during the period of January-November 2017 increased 10 percent, registering $20 billion against $18 billion in the same period of 2016, the General Organization for Import and Export Control (GOEIC) said Sunday.

The GOEIC monthly report revealed that Egyptian exports increased by 3.0 percent during November 2017 on a monthly basis, reaching $1.805 billion compared to $1.785 billion in November 2016.

Exports of eight export councils soared 31.8 percent during the first 11 months of 2017, recording a total of $3.942 billion, from $2.991 billion during the same period of 2016.

Exports of clothes increased 13 percent during November 2017, registering $1.305 billion from $1.305 billion in November 2016. For the same comparison period, exports of electronic and engineering industries increased 10.3 percent, reaching $2.362 billion against $2.142 billion.

Exports of furniture rose 4.8 percent to $464 million from $443 million. Construction materials’ exports increased 4.5 percent to $4.623 billion from $4.424 billion.

The report showed that Egyptian exports of food products increased 4.6 percent, to reach $2.574 billion compared to $2.462 billion. Exports of textiles increased 4.6 percent, reaching $749 million compared to $716 million.

Agricultural exports rose 3.4 percent to $1.997 billion from $1.932 billion, the report stated.

The exports of the five export councils decreased, including furniture, which recorded exports of $299 million, down 10 percent from last year. Exports of medical products fell 8.9 percent to $420 million from $461 million.

Exports of leather products fell 10.6 percent to $107 million from $120 million, while exports of handicrafts fell 15.8 percent to $179 million.

The report said 25 countries receive nearly 78% of Egyptian exports, with a combined value of $15.764 billion. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was ranked first at $2.166 billion, followed by Turkey at $1.691 billion.

Saudi Arabia came in third place with a value of $1.417 billion, followed by Italy with $1.294 billion. The US was ranked fifth: $1.164 billion.

Trade Minister Tarek Kabil assigned in November Egyptian export councils to prepare sectoral plans that will include ways to increase Egypt’s exports globally.

Kabil told Egypt Today in September that exports could rise from $2 billion to $3 billion in 2017 year-on-year and that his ministry was aiming to cover 50% of the trade balance deficit by 2020, with more focus on raising exports.