Egyptian delegation to embark on four-nation West African tour in second quarter of 2016

An Egyptian delegation grouping officials and representatives of businessmen associations, industrial unions, commercial chambers and exporters will pay a visit to Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana in the second quarter of 2016 to discuss ways of facilitating the entry of Egyptian goods and products to these markets, said Chairman of the Egyptian Commercial Services(ECS) Ali el Leithy. 

In exclusive statements to MENA, Leithy said that this tour will be held in coordination with the Egyptian-Lebanese Friendship Association along with a host of international and African navigation and shipping companies. 

The Egyptian goods and products have a good reputation in Africa, he said, adding that the volume of Egypt's trade with Africa reaches to about 5 billion dollars, including 4 billion value of Egypt's exports to Africa. 

Upon directives issued by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Egypt is seeking to double its exports to the African market, he added. 

He also pointed out to the approach of the Egyptian state toward investment in Africa along with flourishing volume of trade among the African continent. 

Asked about the reasons behind the decline of Egypt's exports during 2015, Leithy said that there are several crises which confronted Egypt's exports, including the currency crisis, dollar shortage along with the decline of euro value, as Europe is considered the biggest trade partner for Egypt