CAIRO: Egypt’s exports to the EU increased 38 per cent in the first eight months of 2021, reaching nearly $4.74 billion, Arab News quoted Egypt’s Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea, as saying.

Gamea said the increase was the result of high demand for Egyptian products from 23 European countries including Italy, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Fruits, electrical equipment, textiles and clothing, glass products, cotton, and ceramics were also in high demand in the EU countries, she said.

Egypt exported iron and steel exports worth $608.19 million, aluminum ($308.08 million) and organic chemicals worth $139.66 million, according to data released by the ministry.

The head of the Egyptian Commercial Services, Ahmed Maghawry, said that Egypt’s exports of plastic products, fertilisers, aluminum, iron and steel, and organic chemicals recorded a remarkable increase.

Egypt is keen on boosting trade cooperation with the EU, being “Egypt’s biggest trading partner,” the minister said.