Foreign Trade

Foreign Trade

Cooperating with Arab countries
Egypt seeks to promote cooperation with the countries of the Arab world by developing economic ties at both the bilateral and multi-lateral levels. In 1997 Egypt signed the Agreement to Facilitate and Develop Inter-Arab Trade with a view to establishing a pan-Arab Free Trade Area and creating a customs union by 2007. While committed to implementing all articles of the above agreement, Egypt also signed the Agadir Agreement for the Establishment of a Free Trade Zone between the Arab Mediterranean Nations with Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan.

Cooperating with African countries
Egypt strives to deepen cooperation with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) along with establishing trade preferential ties with other African groups. In addition, Egypt is keen on implementing the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) as a new umbrella for united African action.

Cooperating with Asian countries
Egypt seeks to deepen ties of cooperation with Asian countries in all fields, especially that of promoting economic development.

Cooperating with the EU
Egypt has capitalized on its good relations with EU countries in order to achieve gains in the area of economic growth and development; an example of this the Egypt-EU Partnership Agreement.

Cooperating with the USA
The USA is one of Egypt's major trade partners, second in place to the EU. On December 14, 2004, Egypt signed the Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ) Protocol with the US and Israel. The protocol secures new openings in the US market for Egyptian textile and clothing exports.