Egyptian merchandise exports to the United States climbed 21.9 percent in the first half of 2001, over the corresponding period the previous year. According to official figures, Egypt has exported $512.3 million worth of merchandise to the US between January and June 2001, while during the first six months of 2000, exports stood at $420.3 million, reported Al-Ittihad daily.
Of the total amount, $404.9 million were derived from the export of non-petroleum products, reflecting an 8.6 percent rise compared to the previous year, when non-oil exports stood at $372.9 million. Such merchandise include carpets and other textile floor coverings, cotton non-knitted and knitted apparel and clothing, furniture and iron and steel exports.
These figures reinforce US’ standing as Egypt’s number one single trading partner and the second most important trading bloc after the EU. The same report also revealed that the value of overall exchanges between Egypt and the United States amounted to $2.141 billion during the period of January 2001 through June 2001. This indicates a $1.6 million increase in bilateral exchanges compared to 1H 2000, when exchanges totaled $2.139 billion.
Last month is was reported by the same sources in Egypt’s economic office in Washington, that exchanges between the two countries during the first five months of the current year reached $1.8 billion. — (Mena Report)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
