Djibouti seeks to increase its imports of Egyptian fruits and vegetables
Egypt emphasized its possession of diverse production and industrial capabilities
Written by: Ayman Ragab
Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, held a bilateral meeting with Ourbis Hilaf Ourbis, the Djiboutian Minister of Trade, on the sidelines of the African Continental Free Trade Area ministerial meeting held in the Nigerian capital, to discuss ways to enhance trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, increase trade volume, and support Egyptian products' access to the Djiboutian market.
Consolidating the economic partnership
The minister affirmed the Egyptian state's keenness to consolidate the economic partnership with the Republic of Djibouti, pointing out that the Egyptian market possesses diverse production and industrial capabilities that qualify it to meet the needs of the Djiboutian market for various goods and products, foremost among them iron and steel products, fertilizers, and food products, which contributes to strengthening bilateral trade and achieving the common interests of the two countries.
For his part, Orbis Hilaf Orbis, Djiboutian Minister of Trade, expressed his country's interest in expanding trade cooperation with Egypt, stressing the Djiboutian market's need to increase its imports of vegetables, fruits, and a number of food commodities, given Djibouti's reliance on imports to meet a large portion of its food needs. He praised the quality of Egyptian products, their competitiveness, and their ability to meet the requirements of the Djiboutian market.
Goods and quantities required
The two sides agreed that the Djiboutian side will provide the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade with a detailed list including the required goods and quantities, in preparation for identifying the Egyptian companies producing these goods, and organizing direct meetings between them and Djiboutian importers and representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, during the expected visit of the Djiboutian Minister of Trade to Cairo at the end of July, which will contribute to transforming the outcomes of the discussions into actual business opportunities between the business communities of the two countries.
The two ministers also agreed to renew the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries in the field of investment, which enhances investment cooperation, opens new horizons for partnership between the business community in Egypt and Djibouti, and supports the efforts of the two countries in achieving economic integration and benefiting from the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
