Egypt-Arab trade volume rises in ’24 – CAPMAS

Egypt NewsFeaturedIndustry & Trade
By Nada Ali

Trade volume between Egypt and Arab countries increased by 16 per cent to $30.5 billion in 2024, compared to $26 billion a year earlier, according to recent figures published by Egypt’s state statistics agency, CAPMAS.

Egyptian exports to Arab countries reached $16.2 billion in 2024, compared to $13.6 billion in 2023—an increase of 18 per cent, the report revealed. Meanwhile, imports from Arab countries amounted to $14.3 billion in 2024, up from $12.4 billion in 2023—an increase of 14 per cent.

In 2024, Saudi Arabia was the top Arab importer of Egyptian goods at $3.4 billion, followed by the UAE ($3.3 billion), Libya ($2 billion), and Morocco ($1 billion). Other key markets included Algeria, Sudan, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine.

However, Saudi Arabia also led Arab exports to Egypt in 2024, with shipments valued at $7.9 billion, followed by the UAE ($2.7 billion), Kuwait ($947 million), Oman ($664 million), and Bahrain ($584 million), the report added.

Top Egyptian Exports to Arab Countries in 2024:

  • Pearls, precious stones, and jewellery – $2.1 billion
  • Vegetables and fruit – $1.6 billion
  • Electrical and mechanical appliances – $1.2 billion
  • Fuels, mineral oils, and distillation products – $894 million
  • Iron and steel – $805 million
  • Various food preparations – $781 million
  • Copper and articles thereof – $765 million

Top Imports from Arab Countries to Egypt in 2024:

  • Fuels, mineral oils, and distillation products – $7.5 billion
  • Plastics and articles thereof – $1.9 billion
  • Copper and articles thereof – $759 million
  • Metal ores – $581 million
  • Aluminium and articles thereof – $460 million
  • Iron and steel – $449 million
  • Chemical products – $313 million
  • Electrical appliances – $309 million

Arab investments in Egypt rose to $41.5 billion in 2023/2024 from $7.3 billion the previous year, led by the UAE with $38.9 billion, followed by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Morocco, and Lebanon.

Egyptian investments in Arab countries reached $2.1 billion in 2023/2024, led by the UAE with $1.4 billion, followed by Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Tunisia, and Morocco, according to the report.

Remittances of Egyptian expats in Arab countries reached $13.8 billion during the 2023/2024 financial year, compared to $14.3 billion in 2022/2023. Saudi Arabia ranked first in remittances from Egyptians, with $8 billion, followed by Kuwait with $2.1 billion, the UAE with $1.8 billion, Qatar with $819.5 million, and Jordan with $361.2 million.

Meanwhile, remittances from Arab workers in Egypt totalled $68.3 million in 2023/2024, down from $94.5 million the previous year. The UAE led with $31.6 million, followed by Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, and Lebanon.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: M. S. Salama

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