Minister Plenipotentiary Yahya Al-Wathiq Billah, Head of the Commercial Representation Authority
he Commercial Representation Authority Sets a Flexible Plan to Increase Egyptian Exports and Achieve Sustainable Development"
The Food Industry Sector is Among the Most Attractive for Investment and is expected to Continue Growing in the Coming Period
$2 Billion in Export Opportunities Provided by the Authority in 2024
$15 billion in foreign investment to attract Egypt in 2025
15-20% Growth Target for Egyptian Exports in 2025
$41 Billion Total Egyptian Exports Last Year, a 14.5% Increase Despite Regional Challenges
The Egyptian Commercial Representation Authority, has developed a clear work plan for the current year, with specific targets for implementing a program to boost exports. The plan relies on several strategic pillars, focusing on exploiting current global crises and trade tensions to achieve sustainable increases in Egyptian exports in international markets.
Minister Plenipotentiary Yahya Al-Wathiq Billah, Head of the Commercial Representation Authority, stated that the authority has adopted more flexible and unconventional trade policies that are capable of responding to the continuous changes in international markets. These policies aim to maximize the value of Egyptian exports, both in traditional and emerging markets, by leveraging high-value-added products and exploring promising markets.
In an exclusive interview with “Commodity Market” magazine, Al-Wathiq Billah highlighted the authority’s strategy for supporting Egyptian exports this year, focusing particularly on the food industry sector as one of the most notable industrial sectors that has shown remarkable growth in recent years.
He noted that the Trade Representation offices are striving to achieve clear objectives for 2025 by implementing a work plan aimed at capitalizing on current crises and trade tensions to boost Egypt’s exports in international markets. Success in this endeavor depends on enhancing the value of Egyptian exports, whether in traditional markets or emerging markets, by focusing on high-value-added products.
Al-Wathiq Billah added that the plan also targets attracting foreign investments with high added value in various industrial sectors, which would help meet local needs while strengthening export capabilities, utilizing Egypt’s geographic location and free trade agreements with numerous countries.
He further explained that the food industry sector in Egypt has experienced significant development in productivity and competitiveness over the past years and remains one of the most attractive sectors for investment. Exports in this sector grew from approximately $4.1 billion in 2022 to $6.1 billion in 2024, reflecting the sector’s resilience in facing regional challenges and making it the third-largest export sector in Egypt by 2024.
Al-Wathiq Billah confirmed that the Trade Representation offices have successfully attracted new investments from European, Arab, and Asian companies in various fields, such as juice concentrate plants, date factories, food packaging, and oil production. Additionally, the offices have facilitated export opportunities in 2024 for products including frozen fruits and vegetables, oils, canned foods, dates, dried fruits, legumes, pasta, juices, and confectionery.
He emphasized that the offices organized commercial missions to open channels of communication between exporters and importers, which helped expand the reach of Egyptian companies in international markets. Moreover, the authority has been in continuous communication with major hypermarket chains globally to promote the importation of Egyptian products in large markets.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of Egypt’s participation in major global food industry exhibitions, such as SIAL, Anuga, and Gulfood, where the Trade Representation offices promote Egypt’s participation well in advance of the event. They also arrange bilateral meetings between participating Egyptian companies and potential importers, leading to initial and long-term export contracts.
Furthermore, Al-Wathiq Billah explained that the Trade Representation Authority plays a pivotal role in addressing customs and technical barriers, particularly those related to health and phytosanitary standards, ensuring smooth access for Egyptian food exports to international markets.
The Egyptian Trade Representation Authority has been one of the key drivers behind the increase in Egyptian exports. In 2024, exports grew by 14.5%, reaching approximately $41 billion, despite global challenges. The authority continues to assess market needs and build comprehensive databases on key export sectors and goods in each target market. It also provides essential information on health and quality standards required in various markets.
The offices are also working to provide targeted export opportunities and offer specialized information on retail markets, distribution channels, and retailers, which further solidifies the continued presence of Egyptian products in global markets.
He pointed out that the Commercial Representation Authority seeks to achieve growth in exports by between 15% and 20% during 2025, within the framework of seeking to achieve $ 145 billion of national exports by 2030, and Egypt aims to attract foreign investments of up to $ 15 billion by the end of the current fiscal year.
Al-Wathiq Billah also mentioned that the broader strategy of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade is to prioritize “investment for export,” with an emphasis on attracting foreign investments with high added value in industrial sectors, whether through domestic investment, free zones, or industrial zones. The focus is on attracting companies working in key sectors to meet local production and export needs.
The Egyptian Trade Representation Authority has also successfully attracted industrial investments targeting markets with which Egypt has free or preferential trade agreements. These investments include sectors such as textiles, ready-made garments, leather products, engineering industries, and chemicals. Some of these agreements have even been turned into binding contracts, and industrial land has already been allocated for production to begin.
For the food industry sector specifically, the Trade Representation Authority aims for growth exceeding 20%, by activating export opportunities in various markets and expanding trade agreements reached through major exhibitions and trade missions.
