Egypt Exports Record Historic Leap Owing to Production Projects Support

Egyptian exports made a historic leap thanks to supporting production and export projects. (Reuters)
Egyptian exports made a historic leap thanks to supporting production and export projects. (Reuters)
TT

Egypt Exports Record Historic Leap Owing to Production Projects Support

Egyptian exports made a historic leap thanks to supporting production and export projects. (Reuters)
Egyptian exports made a historic leap thanks to supporting production and export projects. (Reuters)

The strategic steps taken by Egypt to develop its exports have manifested great success in raising the competitiveness of its products in global markets, a report by the cabinet’s Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) indicated.

Egypt has maximized the benefit from bodies and entities concerned with production and export, bolstered cooperation with international companies, took advantage of the agreements signed with various countries and regional and global economic blocs, and adopted several measures to support the export sector, the center explained.

All these steps have supported Cairo’s steady steps and efforts towards diversifying and increasing its exports, as well as its ability to confront the repercussions of the pandemic.

Egypt’s foreign trade increased by 18.2 percent to $34.4 billion during the fiscal year (FY) 2020/21, compared to $29.1 billion in 2019/20, the report noted.

The trade deficit dropped 6.7 percent to $41.6 billion in FY 2020/21, compared to $44.6 billion in FY 2019/20.

The report pointed to a “significant leap” in the value of Egyptian exports during the first seven months, increasing by 35.5 percent to $22.5 billion, compared to $16.6 billion in the same period in 2020.

It named the top five countries that imported Egyptian products during FY 2020/21. At the top came Saudi Arabia by $2.2 billion, the UAE by $2.07 billion, the US by $2.02 billion, Turkey by $1.94 billion and India by $1.89 billion.

Saudi Arabia accounted for 6.4 percent of the total Egyptian exports, the UAE by 6 percent, the US by 5.9 percent, Turkey by 5.6 percent and India by 5.5 percent.

Egypt’s exports of aluminum powder and foil came in first place, followed by woven cotton, dried vegetables, roots and tubers, vegetables, sand and knitted fabrics.



Sudanese Army Airstrikes Kill Dozens in Darfur

Smoke rises in the sky over Khartoum following armed clashes that left dozens dead and injured (AFP)
Smoke rises in the sky over Khartoum following armed clashes that left dozens dead and injured (AFP)
TT

Sudanese Army Airstrikes Kill Dozens in Darfur

Smoke rises in the sky over Khartoum following armed clashes that left dozens dead and injured (AFP)
Smoke rises in the sky over Khartoum following armed clashes that left dozens dead and injured (AFP)

More than 60 people have been killed and over 250 injured in airstrikes by the Sudanese military on the town of Kouma in North Darfur. This incident is being described by observers as one of the “largest massacres” of civilians since the conflict began.

Dozens more have died in separate attacks targeting the areas of Meilit, Wad Abu Saleh, and Um Duwain in Khartoum, with increasing calls for a ban on military flights by the Sudanese army.

Witnesses told Asharq Al-Awsat that the military targeted Kouma’s market on Friday morning, dropping explosive barrels that caused widespread destruction. Many victims were shopping at the bustling “Friday market,” and the death toll is expected to rise due to a lack of medical care for the injured.

The attacks are viewed as deliberate assaults on civilians, particularly since there were no Rapid Support Forces (RSF) present in the crowded market. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with bodies scattered throughout the area.

In Meilit, airstrikes also targeted a wedding celebration, killing about 13 people and injuring others. Activists and eyewitnesses deny the presence of the RSF in these locations, despite military claims that air operations are directed at them.

Political and human rights groups have condemned the escalating airstrikes and called for an immediate ban on military flights in Darfur.

The Civil Democratic Forces Coordination (Tagadum) stated that the Kouma market attack was a severe violation against civilians, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.

The group expressed concern about ongoing violations against civilians in Sudan and highlighted the need for international attention to protect innocent lives. They urged the warring parties to cease hostilities and engage in negotiations to end the conflict.