Egypt posts lowest trade deficit, record exports in 2025 – minister
Egypt has recorded its lowest trade deficit in a decade and its highest growth in exports during the first ten months of 2025, said Investment Minister Hassan El-Khatib on Wednesday.
From January to October, Egypt’s total trade volume reached $107.6 billion, the largest in ten years, driven by a 19 per cent rise in exports and a 2 per cent decline in imports. Non-oil exports also hit a ten-year high, totalling $40.7 billion, up 19 per cent compared with the same period in 2024.
The minister highlighted that rising investment levels and improved efficiency in production capacity are the main drivers behind export growth and trade expansion, contributing to the reduction of the trade deficit. Over the past three years, 93 per cent of imports consisted of production inputs and strategic goods, supporting competitiveness and benefiting from customs incentives that lower production costs.
El-Khatib reviewed historical trade trends, noting that average exports were $5.97 billion between 2004 and 2007, with a 91 per cent surge in 2008 due to higher investment and better utilisation of production capacity, which also helped reduce the trade deficit.
He also outlined Egypt’s trade agreements with over 100 countries, highlighting untapped opportunities to increase exports and the benefits of such agreements in creating jobs and boosting the economy. Future plans include activating the SIFA agreement with the European Union to attract long-term investments and implementing agreements announced during the Egypt–EU conference in June 2024.
El-Khatib reviewed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Egypt’s accession to the Investment Facilitation for Development agreement under the WTO, and the Egypt-Serbia free trade agreement, which came into effect on 1 September 2025. He concluded by noting ongoing negotiations and feasibility studies with additional countries to expand Egypt’s trade network.
Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
Subediting: Y.Yasser