Cairo – Mubasher: The Egyptian non-oil exports have increased by 23% to $15.37 billion during the first six months of 2021, compared to around $12.54 billion in the year-ago period, the Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry, Nevine Gamea, announced on Monday.

The rise in Egyptian exports reflects the country's objective to support productive and export sectors during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the minister said.

Gamea remarked that the new programme to repay export burdens and offer incentives will lead to a surge in exports and contribute to the implementation of the ministry's plan to record $100 billion in annual exports.

In June, the Egyptian non-oil exports hiked by 30% to $2.84 billion in June 2021, compared to $2.18 billion in the same month of 2020.

Egypt's exports to the European Union and the League of Arab States were valued at $4.82 billion and $4.71 billion, respectively.

As for the imports, Egypt registered $36.59 billion during the January-June period, up 11% from $32.94 billion in the year-ago period.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of General Organisation of Import and Export Control, Ismail Gaber, said that the US has topped Egypt's export partners with $1.69 billion in the first six months, followed by Saudi Arabia with $969 million, and Turkey with $968 million.