China’s import expo helps Egyptians boost exports in national pavilion: official

Egypt’s participation in the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) is a very important opportunity to increase Egyptian exports to the Chinese market, said Shirin al-Shorbagi, head of Egypt’s Export Development Authority.

The CIIE will be held from November 5 to 10 in Shanghai, a world famous financial hub and one of the most populous cities in China.

“The CIIE is very important for Egypt which will participate in a 250-square-meter national pavilion... A total of 38 Egyptian companies will participate in a 450-square-meter pavilion,” Shorbagi said.

So far, it is estimated that over 150,000 buyers from home and abroad will attend the expo. Apart from business exhibitions, 80 countries and three international organizations have confirmed their participation in the country-pavilion exhibition, which covers a total area of 30,000 square meters.

The Egyptian official said the participation is politically and economically important, adding that the national pavilion will include the Ministries of Investment, Tourism, Planning, Trade and Industry, and the Suez Canal Authority.

“The national pavilion will highlight the new projects in Egypt,” she said. She explained that 22 of the Egyptian companies that will participate in the CIIE operate in the agricultural sector, while the rest of the companies work in the sectors of engineering, medicine, garments and handicrafts.

“Exports to China are very limited compared with the imports... China is a large country with a very large population and the exhibition is an opportunity to increase our exports to China,” she said.

Shorbagi noted that trade balance is in favor of China, stressing that it is a very good opportunity for Egypt as China moves to adjust its trade balance with different countries and regions.

She revealed that Egypt’s imports from China in 2017 amounted to about $8 billion, while exports stood at about $281 million.

According to the Egyptian official, imports from the beginning of 2018 till August hit $6.2 billion, while the exports during the same period reached $256 million. “The exhibition is a good start to go to China with our companies to explore the needs of the Chinese market,” she said.

Shorbagi said that during the exhibition, there will be several meetings between Chinese and Egyptian officials through the Egyptian Commercial Representation Office in Shanghai and Beijing, adding that there is also a full program for both Egyptian companies and other enterprises to meet together.

Xinhua – Global Times