Exports of the Dutch company for packaging and food industries to European and the Arab markets registered EGP 7.2m over the first nine months of 2016.
The company targets to achieve the same sales value of last year, which was EGP 8.5m, according to chairperson of the company Sayd Shaalan. He mentioned that the remaining months of this year may register a similar value as 2015.
The company exports 70% of its production to Arab countries and 30% to eastern European markets.
The company exports sugar, beans, peppers, parsley, fennel, halawa [halva], tahina [tahini], olives, chilli, and jams.
Egypt needs to activate its trade representation offices abroad to boost its exports, Shaalan said.
International exhibitions represent a great opportunity for Egyptian products to be introduced overseas; however, Egyptian embassies are not interested in attending them, Shaalan said, thus reducing their expected outcomes.
Furthermore, export companies face a number of problems with customs at many of Egypt’s ports when trying to obtain shipment documents. Therefore, these companies bear an even greater burden due to paying fines for late delivery.
He explained that the ports sometimes set unfair conditions that are incompatible with the customers’ requirements.
Shaalan says that export laws must be replaced to allow exports to continue growing, especially amid the tenuous economic situation. Exports, in particular, are the most important source of foreign currency for Egypt, as the tourism sector has suffered huge losses since October 2015.
He added that good Egyptian food industries require more efforts from the government in order to provide a strong climate to attract local and foreign investments in the coming period.
